North Stars join Thunderwolves lineup

Former Fort William North Stars Ryan Magill and Trevor Gamache didn’t make the grade a year ago, but have survived Joel Scherban’s scrutiny and will begin the 2010-11 OUA hockey season with the Lakehead Thunderwolves.

The team on Monday announced the former Fort William North Stars are among five newcomers who cracked the squad, named a week after training camp began.

Gamache led the Superior International Junior Hockey League last season with 80 points, three more than Magill, who topped all scorers with 38 goals.

LU coach Scherban said both deserved the opportunity, after being the final two cuts in 2009.

"Magill and Gamache both worked hard over the past year, both on and off the ice, to develop their game to the CIS level," Scherban said in a release issued by the team. "They have both dominated the SIJHL for the past few seasons, not only offensively, but with their all-around game."

Goalie Josh Mrakic, a former Thunder Bay Bearcat, rounds out the trio of SIJHL graduates to make the Wolves this fall.

Mrakic will play third-string behind starters Alex Dupuis and Kyle Moir, who will fight for the No. 1 spot for a second straight season.

Ontario Hockey League imports Jadran Beljo, a high-scoring forward who isn’t eligible to play until Jan. 9, and defenceman Mike Quesnele, are the other first-year players.

All 19 returnees who showed up at camp will be back in uniform in 2010-11, led by two-time OUA all-star Brock McPherson up front.

Returning forwards include seniors Kris Hogg and Devin Welsh; juniors Adam Sergerie, Andy Hyvarinen and Arron Alphonso and sophomores Andrew Wilkins, Ryan McDonald, Brennan Menard and Matt Caria.

The Wolves will carry seven defencemen this season, including fifth-year senior and two-time OUA all-star Jordan Smith, Andy Zulyniak, Pierre-Marc Guilbault, Mitch Maunu, Kalvin Sagert and Mike Thibert.

The team is scheduled to play Ottawa in a pair of non-conference games on Oct. 1 and Oct. 2. Training camp will continue through September.