The 2011-12 BC Intercollegiate Hockey League regular season draws to a close this weekend for the Thompson Rivers University WolfPack. For seven members of the WolfPack, Saturday’s (Mar 3) game in Kelowna against Okanagan College will be the last time they suit up for a regular season game. The seven are leaving the WolfPack as they complete their educational programs . David Gore (Andrew Snucins photo) Four of them: David Gore, Jassi Sangha, Andrew Fisher and Cody Lockwood (all Kamloops, BC) have been with the hockey program since it resurrected itself three years ago. Thomas Gobeil (Enderby, BC) has been the team’s third goalie two of the last three years, Kyle Allen (Kamloops, BC) and Dylan Becker (Smithers, BC) have been with the ‘Pack the last two seasons. Andrew Fisher (Andrew Snucins photo) Fisher says the end of his collegiate hockey career is sneaking up on him. “ It really hasn’t sunk in so far,” the WolfPack captain says. “ I’m focused on having a good game and going into the playoffs on a roll. I don’t think it’ll sink in until after the final playoff game.” “It’s a weird feeling,” said Sangha, who has been a BCIHL all-star the last two seasons. “ Only six of us remain from the start of this program. It’s been an awesome three years of experiencing University with some really close friends.” “I really haven’t thought that much about it,” Lockwood states about the final regular season game. “Since we ‘re in the playoffs, my sights are on the final game being Sunday March 18 th (BCIHL Final). I think after that, it’ll sink in and I know I will miss playing a lot.” Dylan Becker “These have been the most fun years I’ve ever had playing competitive hockey,” Becker recalls. “the guys have been great to play with and the fans were always awesome.” Cody Lockwood (Andrew Snucins photo) Lockwood and Sangha remember the beginnings of this program fondly. “ I remember our first game clearly, “Lockwood recalls. “ It was three years ago against Okanagan College. Maybe a thousand fans came out to see what WolfPack hockey was all about. I think we gave them a good impression as we won in an exciting game. It was my first game back in Kamloops after leaving for a few years and playing with all my friends and former teammates.” Jassi Sangha (Andrew Snucins photo) “I remember our first ever exhibition game, “ Sangha says. “ Only because we had been joking about who would score the first ever TRU WolfPack hockey goal. I remember Joel Leonard (now a TRU assistant coach) feeding me an open net for the first goal.” > Chris Hans-First WolfPack coach and now GM The four graduating pioneers have had a different coach each one of their seasons with TRU. They started with Chris Hans (who is now the team’s general manager) in 2009-10, Lorne Cumming took over last season with Don Schulz behind the bench this year. Lorne Cumming-TRU's second head coach (Andrew Snucins photo) “You have to get used to the coaches style and personality,” Sangha explains. “ But to be honest, it doesn’t really matter as we knew each other in the dressing room very well.” Current 'Pack head coach Don Schulz (Andrew Snucins photo) “It has been an interesting and unique experience playing for each coach,”adds Fisher. “ It was nothing new to me because I had a different coach my first two years of university hockey as well. I’ve enjoyed playing for each coach and they all brought something different to the table. One thing all three had in common is the intense desire to make the team and program better.” Andrew Fisher (Allan Douglas photo) Fisher played for the University of Wisconsin-Superior and Concordia University College of Alberta before coming here. “As a player, it is out of your control (who is the coach of the team),” Lockwood states. “ All you can do is worry about yourself. Making sure you show up every day to the rink willing, and ready to go to work and give it your all to earn the respect of not only your coaches but your teammates. Chris, Lorne and Don have taught me lots about the game of hockey and I couldn’t thank them enough.” David Gore, Doctor Alan Shaver (President of TRU) and Kyle Allen Not only have the veteran players excelled on the ice but in the classroom as well. Gore and Allen were recognized earlier this year for being TRU WolfPack Scholar Athletes for 2010-11. Allen says the highlight for him over the last two years was coming back after a concussion this season. He scored two goals and one assist in his first game back against Trinity Western. David Gore and Andrew Fisher in front of the net (Allan Douglas photo) All the players say that the best could be yet to come as far as a highlight of being a member of the WolfPack hockey program is concerned. With TRU acting as the host school for the 2011-12 BCIHL Playoff Tournament in a few weeks (Mar 14-18), they hope hoisting the championship trophy will be a fitting end to their careers. In the meantime, they all have different fond memories. Cody Lockwood (Andrew Snucins photo) Lockwood: “The past three years have been one big highlight. Playing with great teammates every year, playing with friends and making new friends. I’ll remember most about being around the room with the guys, on the bus, the road trips but mostly just the game of hockey. It has been such a great opportunity to play hockey her ein Kamloops where I live, got to TRU and have all my friends and family come watch me play. Of course, I’ll always remember losing to SFU in the finals the last two years. Hopefully, we’ll change that this time around.” Andrew Fisher wears the "C" (Allan Douglas photo) Fisher: “ The highlight for me has been building a strong program that players want to be a part of. And the intense rivalry that’s grown between us and SFU. I’ll remember the group of guys I’ve had the chance to play with, the great fans at TRU and the fun I’ve had playing here.” Sangha in action against Eastern Washington (Allan Douglas Photo) Sangha: “My highlight has to be the first year of the program where a lot of us hadn’t played hockey in a year or two and we all came together to play for the WolfPack. It was the beginning of something that we as friends can say “ We were the first players to form the foundation of WolfPack hockey.” On a lighter note he recalls “ Friday early morning practices in the first year. A lot of us would go to Heroes (Campus pub) on Thursday night, making it a very interesting practice to watch, haha.” Jassi Sangha (Allan Douglas photo) ICE CHIPS: All of the players believe the program is headed in the right direction, as is the entire BCIHL. “ We went and played some ACAC teams in Calgary while SFU has played a NCAA Division I school and UBC. So the league is branching out and developing,” says Sangha. Mitch Zulinick is the President of the Kamloops Collegiate Hockey Society (Andrew Snucins photo) They also thanked the Kamloops Collegiate Hockey Society for having the vision and following through with rebuilding the program after a nearly 20 year absence. “ I want to thank TRU, the WolfPack athletic department, the fans, coaches and all the guys that have pulled on a WolfPack hockey jersey for making the past three years such a fun, memorable time in my life, “Fisher added. WolfPack assistant coach Shane Zulyniak (Andrew Snucins photo) Others mentioned Pina Russo (TRU Recreation Coordinator), Troy Clifford (former trainer and Society member), assistant coaches Shayne Zulyniak, Andre Larouche, Steve Gainey and Terry Bangen, and their families for making the last three years so enjoyable. Thomas Gobeil (Andrew Snucins photo) Allen thinks the program is in good hands . "For it to take the next step though," he says. " Is more money from within the university or outside sponsors. It would be great to see a CIS program playing out of Memorial in the future for sure." Kyle Allen (Allan Douglas photo) Gore is completing his Bachelor of Science with an eye to entering medical school, Becker and Fisher are in the Police and Justice program and have a goal of joining the RCMP , a city police organization or public safety field position. Sangha is completing a Bachelor of Arts majoring in History. He hopes to become a professor or a lawyer. Lockwood is finishing his Arts degree but has aspirations of joining the RCMP while Gobeil is finishing up the Architectural and Engineering Technology diploma.