THUNDER BAY -- Months after arriving with plenty of fanfare on the Lakehead Thunderwolves blue-line, Chase Stewart`s university hockey career is over.
The Marathon, Ont. defencemen has informed team officials that he plans to once again pursue a professional career, returning to the Fort Wayne Komets of the ECHL, the team he played for from the start of last season until the Christmas break.
Stewart, who attended training camp with the Ottawa Senators of the National Hockey League, suited up for just eight games with Lakehead, recording a single assist. He had four goals and 11 points for the Komets in 20 appearances.
He`s the second high-profile defenceman to depart the team this off-season for a shot at the professional ranks. Former captain Dillon Donnelly has a goal in four games with the ECHL`s Wichita Thunder.
The Wolves finished 12-15-1 this past season, and were one of the worst defensive teams in the OUA with Donnelly and Stewart in the line-up, missing the playoffs for just the second time in 18 seasons. The team also expects to lose goaltender Devin Green to graduation.
