WATERLOO, Ont. - Player turnover is the nature of university sports, but the Golden Hawks men's hockey team enters the 2023-2024 season facing a unique challenge. 

Only two defensemen from last year's team are returning. Rookie sensation Colin Campbell has elected to pursue professional career as well in Germany, while veteran stalwart Jake Payette signed in Belgium after graduating. All told, seven defensemen are departing, including five of the team's starting six. 

In his first offseason as manager of men's hockey operations and head coach, Kevin Forrest has assembled a talented cohort of recruits to replenish the blueline and reinforce a forward group that will see most of its top scorers returning. 

DEFENCE 

Callum Chisholm 

LHD/LW – Barrie Colts – Kinesiology – Oakville, Ont. 

At 6'5", Chisholm takes pride in being tough to play against. After a solid rookie season with the Mississauga Steelheads, Chisholm's offensive game blossomed in his second OHL season with the Colts, where he scored 10 goals and 23 points in 52 games. Part of that output was buoyed by his filling in at forward when the Colts were plagued with injury troubles. 

"Callum is a player who brings a lot of what we need to replace on the blueline," said Forrest. "His versatility, being able to play forward if needed, is an added bonus when dealing with injuries but his physicality and poise on what will be a young blueline will have an immediate positive impact".   

"The more people we spoke to about Callum, it was obvious he is the type of high character, great teammate type of guy you want in your locker room and in the battles on the ice, we're thrilled to have him join the Laurier family". 

The feeling is mutual. Said Chisholm, "I'm extremely excited to be joining the Laurier men's hockey program for the upcoming season. I've spoken to a lot of friends and some former teammates who attend Laurier and all of them have great things to say about both the school and the hockey program." 

"I think Laurier will be a great place to continue developing myself as a student-athlete and I look forward to getting started in the fall."  

Jadon Reimer 

LHD – Campbellton Tigers, MJAHL – Business – Lansing, MI. 

Splitting the 2022-2023 season between Fredericton and Campbellton of the Maritime Junior Hockey Leage, Reimer totaled 37 points in 51 games. With great mobility for his 6'3" frame, Reimer makes life difficult for his opponents in all areas but especially in the defensive zone. 

"One of the things that impressed me most in my first conversation with Jadon was his maturity and proactive approach to his future and where he wanted to be this season, both academically and on the ice for his continued hockey development," said Forrest, describing Reimer as "a real mature young man aggressively pursuing his future." 

"As we started to look further into his game, you could see the same maturity on the ice in his decision making and reactions to the tougher moments in the game, always playing with composure and confidence." 

"After meeting the coaching staff, touring Laurier and seeing what my future would look like, the decision was easy," said Reimer. "I am ready to give my all to Wilfrid Laurier University, and excited to start the next phase in my athletic and academic career. I am very proud and honoured to become a Golden Hawk." 

Lucas Robinson 

RHD – Trenton Golden Hawks, OJHL – Arts – Rocky Harbour, NL. 

With outstanding strength and physicality, Robinson plays a great all-around game, excelling in all situations including special teams. 

"Lucas is one of those guys who can be a bit quiet at times but there's no better leader by example than he was for us last season," said Trenton coach Jerome Dupont. "Finishing hits, blocking shots, things that are infectious on his teammates.  Robbie led our blueline in minutes played during the playoffs and was without a doubt our most complete defenseman this past season." 

That playoff run saw those Golden Hawks advance to the OJHL finals, with Robinson scoring 17 points in 22 games along the way. Before joining Trenton in 2021-2022, he played two full seasons with the QMJHL's Halifax Mooseheads. 

"Lucas was a player we targeted from our very first recruiting meeting," said Forrest. "He's a player who does everything in the game above average, some of which you could argue he does at an elite level. His ability to read the rush, close gaps quickly and step up for a big hit at the right times are a few examples of his high level of hockey sense." 

"His in-game toughness is something that jumped out at me right away; consistently finishing hits, making hard plays even when he knows he's about to be hit, and a fearless shot blocker. Lucas is a great addition to our blueline."  

Isaac Sooklal 

RHD – Haliburton County Huskies, OJHL – Policing & Sociology – Brooklin, Ont. 

Joining the Golden Hawks after a five-year junior career, Sookal was a proven leader on each team he's played for. Dependable in all situations, Sookal had a career year offensively in 2022-2023 with 46 points in 53 games. 

"Isaac is a player we like for his physicality, tight checking style and ability to lead a rush and escape forechecking pressure," said Forrest. "He has an ability to stay calm under pressure and make good productive plays in those situations, an important skill in our league as teams tend to pressure on forechecks more." 

Robbie Strachan 

LHD – Collingwood Blues, OJHL – Economics & Financial Management – Oakville, Ont. 

Standing at an imposing 6'5", Strachan was one of the best defenders in the entire national Junior "A" circuit last season, according to Collingwood GM Mike Tarantino. "His puck poise, decision making, mobility and size make him a very unique player."  

Strachan has great defensive instincts and was often deployed against opponents' top lines, all the while contributing offensively with 46 points in 54 games, helping lead the Blues to an OJHL Buckland Cup championship. 

"Robbie was a guy who jumped out right away from everyone else on the ice, not just because of his size but more about his mobility and patience with the puck when under pressure. I was out to watch his teammate Bryce at the time when within a few shifts it became obvious Robbie would be a perfect fit as we start to rebuild our blueline," said Forrest. 

"As I watched Robbie more and more throughout the playoffs, his game excelled at the times it mattered most which is always a quality you want in a player and teammate... we're excited to have him" 

FORWARD 

Thomas Lenart 

C – Burlington Cougars, OJHL – Economics – Hamilton, Ont. 

A left-handed centreman with proven skill at the faceoff dot, Lenart ranked fifteenth in OJHL scoring last season with 71 points in 53 games. He totaled 128 points in 106 career OJHL games, and produced even better in the playoffs, with 26 points in 17 contests. 

"Thomas is another guy we looked at to add some scoring to our roster," said Forrest. "He has a really good one-timer and quick release but one of the things we like most is he's not picky where he puts it which I believe is why he finds the net so much – he's not obsessed with bar-down." 

"When doing our research on Thomas, a consistent response was more about his good character than his good game so we're fortunate and excited to welcome Lenny to the program and G-Hawk family." 

"I'm very excited to join Laurier and help the team this year," said Lenart, "I feel it is a great school and program where I can develop both on the ice and in the classroom." 

Kallaway Mercer 

LW – Cobourg Cougars, OJHL – Arts – Port Hope, Ont. 

A physical, high-energy winger, Mercer scored 40 goals and 77 points in 103 career OJHL games. Before joining the Cougars, he spent two years with the OHL's Kingston Frontenacs. 

"Kallaway is a player who brings a lot of energy to his team and seems to embrace the harder parts of the game – driving hard to scoring areas, relentless puck pressure and finishing checks," said Forrest. "Most nights he was the hardest working player on the ice, a work ethic we strive for everyday and one that is infectious amongst his teammates." 

"His shooting accuracy is one of the tools that jumped out when scouting Kallaway. His high shooting percentage on scoring chances is something we are excited to add to our lineup as we look to improve upon our 5 on 5 scoring." 

Myles Perry 

RW – Milton Menace, OJHL – Business – Brooklin, Ont. 

Isaac Sooklal's AAA teammate with the Whitby Wildcats, Perry played for four teams during his three-year OJHL career, winning a Buckland Cup with Pickering in 2022. His offensive production rose each year in the playoffs – he totaled 21 points in 28 career post-season games. 

"Myles is a guy who grew on me the more I watched because of his relentlessness all over the ice when he is on top of his game," said Forrest. Perry's high energy playstyle gives him the ability to change the game's momentum on any shift. 

"He's not considered a big guy but he's certainly a guy who plays big, with no fear, and is another player we've added who brings championship experience to our locker room." 

Eli Reimer 

C/LW – Campbellton Tigers, MJAHL – Communication Studies/Business - Lansing, MI. 

Jadon's twin brother, Reimer brings great size and skating at the centre position. A point-per-game player over his two-year MJAHL career, he led the Tigers in playoffs scoring with 10 points in 6 games last season. 

"Anytime you can a player with size and skill it's a great thing," said Forrest. "Eli will give us added offence and flexibility up front as we start to shape up our roster with a lot new faces and players with the ability to play both centre and wing." 

"In watching Eli, his reach and ability to protect the puck and change direction quickly had his line with puck possession the majority of his shifts. Add in his ability to finish his scoring chances and set up others, Eli makes an exciting addition for our group." 

"After touring Laurier and meeting Coach Forrest, I knew I wanted to make it my home for the coming years," said Reimer. "I can't wait to start the next chapter of both my hockey and academic career, alongside my twin brother. I'm excited and honored to become a Golden Hawk." 

Bryce Sutherland 

C/RW – Collingwood Blues, OJHL – Honours Arts – Mississauga, Ont. 

A 6'2" forward who plays both centre and wing, Sutherland is an offensive force who totaled 158 points in 170 career OJHL games, including a 41-goal season in 2022. After two and a half seasons with the St. Micheal's Buzzers, Sutherland, like Strachan, finished his OJHL career with a Buckland Cup championship in Collingwood. 

"Bryce was a key piece on offence for us since being acquired just prior to the trade deadline on route to our championship run," said Blues GM Tarantino. "I have no doubt Bryce will make a positive impact and help strengthen the Golden Hawks forward group". 

"Bryce is a big power forward who has shown an ability to score in all situations consistently over his junior career and will give us some size down the middle," said Forrest. "Scoring at 5-on-5 was something we struggled with last season, so this was a player we had our eyes on way back in December and are thrilled to have been able to add Bryce to our lineup." 

"Bryce was a key contributor to Collingwood's championship run this past season and also a guy who wore a letter for his St Michaels team prior to his trade to Collingwood.  When you can add a player with size, ability to score, proven leadership qualities and the experience of a league championship run, it's always a great thing. We're thrilled to welcome Bryce to the Golden Hawks family." 

"I chose Laurier because they have an awesome reputation for providing well-rounded academics, and the chance to be a Golden Hawk," said Sutherland. "I can't wait to start the season." 

Sam Williamson 

LW – Trenton Golden Hawks – Kinesiology – Barrie, Ont. 

A 5'10" power forward, Williamson has excelled in very different roles throughout his junior career. He scored 21 points in 20 playoff games with the Junior "B" St. Catharine's Falcons in 2021-2022, en route to a GOJHL championship.  

Playing Junior "A" with Trenton alongside Lucas Robinson last season, he led the team in penalty kill minutes and was deployed as a shutdown forward against opponents' top lines throughout the regular season and run to the OJHL finals. 

"Sam's one of those players who contributes to his team in a lot of key ways due to his high level of hockey sense and his ability to read and anticipate the game and where the next plays are developing," said Trenton coach Dupont. "[He] plays a fearless style consistently finishing hits and blocking shots. Off the ice and in the locker room, [he's] a fantastic teammate and young man." 

"Sam is another player we are adding with championship experience which is always a great thing.  What impresses me most about Sam is his hockey sense, compete level, willingness to battle and finish around the net and ability to play effectively in different roles," said Forrest.  

"Here's a player who's proven he can contribute offensively on a championship team and when put into a more defensive role the following year on different team, he accepted the challenge with no complaints and excelled at it." 

"I am extremely honoured and excited to be joining the Golden Hawks organization," said Williamson, "I have heard nothing but amazing things as it's a top-notch school. It was an easy decision on where I want to spend my next four years and I'm excited to get this chapter started!" 

The Golden Hawks open their season at Waterloo on October 5. Season tickets are on sale now.