A Lakehead hockey interlude

Photo Courtesy: Lakehead Athletics

We take a break from our usual OUA football stretch drive programming to bring you this feature from the Lakehead student paper - The Argus. In this piece, Mike St. Jean tracks down some of Lakehead's hockey alumni and finds that these three are still pursuing pro hockey careers.

Which three players you ask?

Goaltender Chris Whitley

Since leaving Lakehead in 2009, Whitley has remained active in pursuing his dream of a career as a professional hockey player.

Following a strong showing as an invite to the Detroit Red Wings 2009 training camp, Whitley spent the2009-10 and 2010-11 seasons playing in Allen, Texas for the Central Hockey League’s Allen Americans, leading the team to the Ray Miron President Cup finals in his rookie season.

Forward Mike Soares

Since leaving Lakehead in 2010, Soares has spent the past two seasons playing for Kaufbeuren ESV in Germany’s Oberliga, where he finished fifth in team scoring during the 2010-11 season (17 goals, 17 assists in 48 games), while playing with former Thunderwolves Mike Wehrstedt and Scott Dobben.

and Forward Tobias Whelan

Lakehead’s former assistant captain currently plays for the Rødovre Mighty Bulls, a top Danish team that has produced a few notable NHLers, including current players Jannik Hansen, Mikkel Bødker, and Lars Eller.

Unfortunate we couldn't get any quotes from these guys about their OUA playing days, but alas, I'd imagine that setting up interviews with people in Denmark is a bit difficult from Lakehead's campus.

As far as the players go, who knows what's in store - particularly for the guys in Europe. A few good seasons leads to a Spengler Cup which leads to an NHL shot. Either way, it's great for OUA Hockey and the Lakehead program.