THUNDER BAY – The Lakehead Thunderwolves have dipped into the NCAA Division 1 pool for their latest hockey recruit.
Nate Hooper, who hails from Winnipeg, spent last season with the American International Yellow Jackets, suiting up for just one game.
The 6-foot-2 centre spent three seasons prior to that with the Flin Flon Bombers of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League, where he collected 55 goals and 172 points in 169 career games, including 87 points in 55 appearances in his final campaign in 2018-19.
"Extremely excited to get started here at Lakehead,” the 21-year-old Hooper said in a release posted to the team's website.
“I have heard nothing but great things about the school and the hockey program. Saying that, I could not be more thrilled about finishing my education at Lakehead and to be apart of the Thunderwolves organization.”
Wolves coach Andrew Wilkins said it's always great to land a talent considered good enough to play at the NCAA level.
"It's great to have Nate join our team from a strong AIC program in the NCAA, a player that will be able to step in and play in all situations" Wilkins said.
"Nate is a high IQ player with the ability to make plays and provide offensive instincts, a nice fit into the style that we want to play."
When he'll get to join his new teammates remains up in the air. The OUA has cancelled all varsity sporting activities until at least Jan. 1. Hooper has four years of eligibility remaining.
