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Restoule, Thompson among Thunderwolves cuts

There will be plenty of new faces when the Lakehead Thunderwolves kick off non-conference play Friday night against the Mount Royal Cougars.

There will be plenty of new faces when the Lakehead Thunderwolves kick off non-conference play Friday night against the Mount Royal Cougars.

Eight players who weren’t on the team a year ago survived coach Bill McDonald’s final cuts, announced Monday.

It’s the forward corps that will endure the most change, with seven newcomers joining the squad. Thunder Bay’s Nathan Cull, Jake Wright, Austin McDonald, Dylan Butler, E.J. Faust and former Thunder Bay North Stars Trevor Hynnes and Brennen Dubchak have all been officially handed their Thunderwolves jerseys.

Sophomore defenceman Cody Kostecki is the other fresh face joining the OUA squad.

Returning forwards include Ryan Magill, Jason Grecica, Mike Hammond, Keith Grondin, Jake Carrick, Carson Dubchak, Kelin Ainsworth, Cody Alcock, David Quesnele and Matt Kaarela.

Kostecki, a Thunder Bay native who spent one season at Concordia University Wisconsin, will be joioned on the blue-line by returnees Mike Quesnele, Luke Maw, Mich Fillman, Jay Gilbet, Andrew Tessier and Nathan Bruyere.

Jeff Bosch and Justin McDonald have been tabbed as the team’s goaltending tandem.

Wolves coach Bill McDonald said it wasn’t easy having to tell veterans Paul Thompson and Adam Restoule they won’t be back.

“Making cuts is always difficult.  Even though I’ve been in the coaching business a long time, I never get used to it.  Unfortunately, it’s a part of competitive hockey,” he said in a release issued by the team.

“In the case of Adam Restoule and Paul Thompson, I let go of two fine young men who were a part of the team last year, and I would like to thank them for everything they gave us.”

Defenceman Riley McIntosh has left the team voluntarily, deciding to focus on his schooling.

The second-year coach added there will be plenty of competition for ice time, with 26 players on the roster.

“We’ve added some depth and I’m excited to see how the new players perform.”



Leith Dunick

About the Author: Leith Dunick

A proud Nova Scotian who has called Thunder Bay home since 2002, Leith is Dougall Media's director of news, but still likes to tell your stories too. Wants his Expos back and to see Neil Young at least one more time. Twitter: @LeithDunick
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