Elliot Lake shuffles the deck
Elliot Lake Wildcats of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League have confirmed the status of three high-scoring forwards.
Wildcats general manager Todd Stencill told HockeyNewsNorth.com that 1997 birth-year skater Shane Woolsey has re-upped for the 2015-2016 campaign while 1995 birth-year forwards Cole Hepler and Adam Baxter have both been traded.
Elliot Lake coach Nathan Hewitt said “it’s great” to have Woolsey and his 28 goals, 28 assists, 56 points from a season ago back with the Wildcats.
“We’re excited to have Shane back in the fold,” Hewitt told HockeyNewsNorth.com. “He’s great around the net. He’ll contribute in all situations.”
Meanwhile, Stencill said that Hepler and Baxter both asked to be traded — and for different reasons.
“Hepler wanted to play in the (Ontario Jr. Hockey League) and Adam asked to be moved closer to home for education purposes and we were able to accommodate both players,” said Stencill.
Hepler, who scored 33 goals for Elliot Lake in 2014-2015, was dealt to the Aurora Tigers of the OJHL. And Baxter, who scored 31 times for the Wildcats last season, was shipped to the Clarence Beavers of the Eastern Ontario Jr. Hockey League.
The Wildcats will receive cash in exchange for the pair.
What I will say is kudos to E.L. for accommodating the requests. To bad the rest of the teams don’t follow suit.
Todd and the Wildcats are a class act.
Having had first-hand experience as Adam’s father, I can confirm that these gentlemen are first-class hockey people. Adam had a very difficult summer wrestling between his passion for hockey and the great treatment he had last year on one hand, and a compelling feeling he should get on with University on the other. Too late, he decided on the latter. I have to commend Todd and Nathan for accommodating him with the late notice he gave them. I wish the team every success this season, and best wishes to the NOJHL in general.
As an Elliot Lake Wildcat supporter, I can only say that it was a pleasure watching Adam play last year. He is a quality person in all respects and, as much as we will miss him, I wish him all the best in his future endeavors.