As the Thompson Rivers University WolfPack battle for a playoff spot in the BC Intercollegiate Hockey League this weekend (Feb 14-15), they will also say good bye to three veterans. The WolfPack are hosting the University of Victoria Vikes on Valentine’s Day (Feb 14) and the Selkirk College Saints on Saturday (Feb 15) at Memorial Arena. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="333"] Kevin Nielsen (Andrew Snucins photo)[/caption] On Saturday: the game will start a little later than its usual 8 pm start time as the ‘Pack pay tribute to forward Kevin Nielsen  along with defencemen Blake Moynes (Burlington, ON) and Travis Herlein (Calgary, AB). Neilsen has been with the hockey program at TRU the longest. He came to the team as a ‘walk on’ four years ago. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="500"] Nielsen in action vs Trinity earlier this year (Andrew Snucins photo)[/caption] “It’s hard for me to think my competitive hockey career is almost over,’ states the 5’10” native of West Vancouver, BC.  “When I think back on the time I have had here, I have had so many good memories. It’s been all positive and I will miss it the second it was over. “ [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="333"] Nielsen in 2011 (Allen Douglas photo)[/caption] Nielsen says the highlight for him was scoring his first BCIHL goal.  “ After not playing for so many games due to injuries, it was good to get back on the ice and help my team.”  [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="500"] Nielsen in game action vs Trinity last month (Andrew Snucins photo)[/caption] He says he is going to miss the camaraderie within the team and all the fun he has had with his teammates at the rink and on the road.  He will be graduating this spring with a degree in business. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="333"] WolfPack head coach Don Schulz (Andrew Snucins photo)[/caption] Coach Don Schulz had this to say about Nielsen: “He is the ‘elder statesman’ on this team.  His four years is quite an accomplishment when you consider he didn’t play junior hockey.  Kevin has always been a very competent student and a very hard worker. The phrase “attitude, not aptitude determines altitude’ describes Kevin best.  In the three years I have coached him, he rarely if ever misses practice yet always carried a full course load. He never, and I mean never takes an easy stride in practice and has made himself into a competent hockey player. Hard work is Kevin’s middle name and again, is ready to move into his professional life. His calmining influence and pleasant demeanor will really be missed.” [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="500"] Travis Herlein in action vs SFU last month (Andrew Snucins photo)[/caption] Herlein has been with the WolfPack  since coming to the program three years ago from Selkirk College. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="333"] Travis Herlein (Andrew Snucins photo)[/caption] “As a student/athlete, I would like to think that I have come a long way,” he says. “ From being academically ineligible to becoming a leader that the young guys have come to for advice and help. It was completely different at TRU  than it was at Selkirk.  As a student/athlete here, you ned to be accountable for yourself.  Not only for you but your teammates as well.  Overall, my experience as a student/athlete here has been a tremendous time. I’d like to thank everyone from the WolfPack organization for this opportunity.” [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="500"] Herlein earlier this year during 'movember' (Andrew Snucins photo)[/caption] Herlein was recruited by former TRU head coach Lorne Cumming.  “I was at Selkirk and their hockey program was in transition while the WolfPack were in first place.  I couldn’t thank Lorne enough for trying to get me here and the opportunity he gave me to work with Don Schulz and general managers Chris Hans and Steve Blundell.” [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="500"] Herlein with puck (Andrew Snucins photo)[/caption] Schulz is quick to say Herlein has grown as a student and a hockey player during his time at TRU.  “ He was bigger than life, party hardy and here for hockey not school when I first met him,” he says.  “Hockey wise, his fitness and foot speed  were suspect.  But Trav worked his tail off losing a lot of weight, improving his fitness and buckled down with his studies. The transformation and maturity in this young man has been quite remarkable. He is now a very competent student, an assistant captain with the team and a leader. He has always been outspoken and quick witted. He says what’s on his mind but usually from a team first perspective.  At the start of this year, we were very deep at forward (Trav’s normal position). I asked him to switch to defense. I could sense reluctance at first but he handles change when circumstances dictate it. I know that Travis will be successful in the next phase of his life and will be an excellent hire in his professional field.” [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="333"] Blake Moynes (Andrew Snucins photo)[/caption] Like Nielsen, Blake Moynes was another ‘walk on’.  “ I have thoroughly enjoyed my two years with the WolfPack,” he says. “ My fondest memories are not only my teammates and scoring my first goal of the season earlier this year. It was against Victoria and the second of two road games. We were down 3-1 and I followed up on a rush and put in a rebound off Anthony Delong’s (Castlegar, BC) shot.  We ended coming back to win in a close one 6-5.” [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="500"] Blake Moynes at Wendy's Dreamlift[/caption] Moynes says one of the highlights as a player with TRU was the community work that they did. “ It was a pleasure to meet our fans and go to elementary schools for events like Terry Fox Runs’ [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="500"] Moynes vs U VIC (Andrew Snucins photo)[/caption] Says Schulz: “ We were really short of defensemen and Blake proved to be the diamond in the rough. Assistant coach Kevin Johnston has really worked with Blake to make him a very competent  player. Blake is a big guy and has a big presence in the dressing room. He is very well liked and quite simply is a beauty. He gets a lot of ribbing about being an ardent Leaf’s fan and takes it all in strike.  Blake is physical and handed out his share of bone crunching hits.  He’s worked his tail off to improve his fitness and foot speed. Rarely he ever misses a practice and if he does it is because of his studies. His bigger than life smile and dry sense of humor are certainly key attributes to this young man as he’s ready to move onto his professional life.” [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="500"] Herlein (right) with teammate Scott Bollefer receiving scholarship cheque (Andrew Snucins photo)[/caption] As the door closes on their lives as student/athletes with Thompson Rivers University, Herlein put it best when he said.  “ The time I have had at TRU has been a roller coaster with its ups and downs on and off the ice but I couldn’t have asked for a better experience: thanks to my parents and family, my teammates and the whole WolfPack organization.” [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="500"] Moynes out at Elementary School with Shay LeBourdais of Women's Soccer for Terry Fox Run[/caption] It will be hard to tell who might be more emotional on Saturday: the players or their coach.  “ I have many lasting memories of all three graduates,” Schulz says. “ All three are excellent players, not stars but are stars as people. They epitomize all that is good about student athletes. All three are ‘team first’ individuals. All three will be successful in their chosen fields of endeavor and all three are examples of why I like to coach at this level. Their smiles and presence will certainly be missed.”