2014/15 Minor Midget Record – 25-3-5 (2nd overall)
Final Result – Defeated London in 5 games to win Alliance Championship (OHL Cup Berth)
2014/15 Major Bantam Record – 14-11-7 (7th overall)
Final Result – Defeated Windsor in 6 games to win Alliance Championship
The two-time defending Alliance champions are hoping a slew of new players can help them capture their 3rd straight Alliance championship and their 4th straight OHL Cup appearance. They also have a collection of players who won the Major Bantam Alliance championship that know what winning is.
During the regular season last year, the Wolves and the London Jr. Knights were 1a and 1b in the league. Led on the blue line for Nate Schnarr and the scoring prowess of Sullivan Sparkes, Waterloo compiled 55 points and lost just three games in three series of playdowns. Despite the fact their Major Bantam team won it all, there was still a fair amount of turnover for the Wolves.
Some very important players will be in black and gold for Waterloo this season. Back is Nathan Torchia in net, whom I believe is the best goaltender in the Alliance this season. Also returning is defenseman Tyler McBay, who played with the 99’s last season and also joined the big club during the OHL Cup, registering an assist in five game. Both Chris Playfair and Mitch Hoelscher, who led the way offensively in the playoffs last season, are back. There are seven players who made the team who were not on their Bantam squad last season. Some would say chemistry could be an issue, but look deeper and that may not be a factor.
Four or the seven players come from the Guelph Gryphons of the OMHA. Parker Varnai and Liam Hartman on defense and Cam Hyjek and Derek Jensen up front. Maybe the most interesting prospect is Alex Gritz, an American who played his Minor Bantam hockey with the Pittsburgh Penguins Elite. The Penguins Elite boast such alumni as Stanley Cup winner Brandon Saad and former Kitchener Ranger goaltender John Gibson.
In exhibition games, the Wolves took a trip down south to take on some New York state teams. It wasn’t a fantastic trip with a record of 1-2-1, but it will hopefully serve as a good tune up for the Toronto Titans tournament that begins on Wednesday.
In terms of their Alliance regular season, the Wolves host Elgin on September 19.
Waterloo Wolves Roster:
G – Nathan Torchia
G – Alex Metzger
FWD – Parker Casey
FWD – Cameron Hyjek
FWD – Evan Kula
FWD – Chris Playfair
FWD – Derek Jensen
FWD – Mitch Hoelscher
FWD – Darcy Winkler
FWD – Spencer Kersten
FWD – Mason McMahon
FWD – Alex Gritz
D – Tristan De Jong
D – Tyler McBay
D – Parker Varnai
D – Mason Hardy
D – Liam Hartman
D – Justin Zuber
