The Laurier Golden Hawks drew some attention after upsetting the University of Toronto in the first round of the Queen's Cup Playoffs with a whopping 14 rookies on their roster.
As they gear up and look to build on their success this past season, Golden Hawks manager of men's hockey operations and head coach
Kevin Forrest and his staff have brought in some strong recruits looking to make an immediate impact and complement the young core.
The initial group confirmed to don the purple and gold next season are:
Brenden Anderson - F - St. Catherines Falcons, GOJHL
Hailing from Ohsweken, Ont., Brenden Anderson is a 6'5" power forward who brings size, strength, and scoring to our lineup along with major junior experience, including an OHL Championship, having spent time with the Hamilton (Brantford) Bulldogs and Sarnia Sting.
The 21 year-old finished his junior career with the St Catherines Falcons this past year, posting 45 points in 38 games along with 74 penalty minutes.
"Brenden was an early target for us as he checks all of the boxes for what we were looking to add to our forward group," said Forrest. "He's a big man with deceptive speed and a good scoring touch around the net. He plays with a lot of determination that is infectious among his teammates and a characteristic we want in our locker room.
Ryan Pryce - D - Sudbury Wolves, OHL
A big, mobile defenseman who gets up and down the ice quickly, Pryce was previously selected in the fourth round (78th overall) by the Barrie Colts in the 2020 OHL Priority Selection.
A 6'2, 197-pound stay-at-home blueliner from Toronto, Ont., he broke onto the OHL scene came in the 2021/22 season with the Sarnia Sting, playing in 43 games and recording four assists.
After racking up 95 penalty minutes and 21 points in 49 games the following season with the OJHL's Georgetown Raiders, Pryce earned a free agent invite to the Sudbury Wolves' 2023 training camp. Earning a spot with the OHL club, he dressed for 40 games last year, recording six points.
"Ryan immediately adds size and strength to our blueline, which will help protect our crease area and be a stronger team along the walls," said Forrest.
Tyler Hunt - C/LW/RW - St. Catherines Falcons, GOJHL
Coming at 5'10", Tyler Hunt is a versatile centreman who can also play on the wing. He was drafted 37th overall by the Kitchener Rangers in the 2020 U18 Priority Selection.
Hunt collected 37 points in 85 games across three seasons with the Cobourg Cougars in the OJHL. The Oakville, Ont. native played in the GOJHL last season where he picked up 23 goals and 22 assists in 28 games before scoring 11 points in just four playoff games.
The sniper was the Player of the Month for December in the GOJHL. Head Coach
Kevin Forrest said that Hunt "continues to develop and get better every year through Junior, so we're getting a player who is still on an upward trajectory with the ability to score and set up scoring chances."
Ryan Cook - D - Collingwood Blues, OJHL
Standing at 6'4", Ryan Cook is a big, strong defenseman who is hard to play against. He joins the Golden Hawks from the Collingwood Blues of the OJHL.
Laurier's coaching staff noticed the Toronto, Ont. native while scouting the Blues for recruits Robbie Strachan and
Bryce Sutherland during their Championship run.
Cook is a smooth skater that makes a strong first pass. He has solid offensive vision and sees the ice very well. After putting up 13 points in two consecutive seasons, his production exploded last season as he scored seven goals and picked up 20 apples for 27 points with the Blues last season.
Paris O'Brien - G - Kunlun Red Star, KHL
O'Brien is an extremely intriguing story. The Coquitlam, BC native has not played a game on Canadian soil since 2017.
The 6'3" goalie spent the last six seasons playing overseas, splitting seasons between the VHL, MHL and KHL. He also suited up for the Chinese National team for the 2021 Olympic Games.
While there may not be a lot of stats and video of him playing, his experience at the pro and Olympic level at such a young age speaks volumes about his ability as a goaltender.
Forrest says "We are excited to have Paris join our program. The majority of the credit goes to our goalie coach, Dave Dolecki, for putting in the time connecting with NHL and other goalie coaches that were familiar with him."
These coaches speak very highly of O'Brien's game, work ethic and professionalism.
Max-Antoine Melançon - LW/C - Brock Badgers, OUA
Melançon is a transfer from the Brock Badgers. Back when Forrest was at Brock, he and his team scouted Melançon and eventually recruited him to play for the Badgers. He suited up in 14 games for the Brock Badgers in 2022-23, scoring eight points.
"His former teammates speak highly of his character and his positive impact," said Forrest, "he carries himself with a level of maturity beyond his years."
The 6'3" forward has the experience and the ability to play on left-wing, but can also suit up as a centreman. His versatility along with his "good vision, accurate shot and soft hands in around the net" provides the Golden Hawks with a solid options on any line and powerplay combination.
Hailing from Drummondville, QC, Melançon was drafted by the Saint John Sea Dogs in the 2017 QMJHL Entry Draft. He played parts of four seasons in the QMJHL where he scored 27 points.
Kai Stothers - D - Rockland Nationals, CCHL
Joining the Golden Hawks by way of the CCHL's Rockland Nationals, Laurier's newest 6'2" defenceman from Toronto, Ont. played a leadership role in his final season with the Nats as the team's alternate captain, putting up 29 points in 52 regular season games.
The offensive-minded defenceman stepped-up when it mattered most in the playoffs, posting eight points in 11 games.
"The comments made about Kai's leadership were just as appealing to us as all the things he does on the ice" said Forrest. " He's quick and mobile but also reads and anticipates the game at a high level while always being tough to play against."
Mathieu Paquin - F - Renfrew Wolves, CCHL
A 20 year-old from Mirabel, QC, Paquin is a power forward who competes hard all over the ice, often leading the way physically.
Standing 6'2" and 205 pounds, he is a former teammate of fellow recruit Kai Stothers while with Rockland prior to being involved in a deadline trade to the Renfrew Wolves.
His new bench boss observed how his second recruit hailing from La Belle Province "seems to enjoy the game more the harder it gets, which was noticeable when scouting him."
"This had a positive effect on his teammates, with momentum often changing in his team's favour as a result, when needed," said Forrest.
Justin O'Donnell - F - Milton Menace, OJHL
O'Donnell, a 21 year-old forward from Oakville, Ont., was the 35
th overall selection in the 2019 OHL Priority Selection by Sarnia and spent parts of three seasons with the Sting before moving on to Saginaw.
He joins the Golden Hawks from the Milton Menace of the OJHL where, in his final season of junior hockey, he put up just shy of a point per game, with 46 (20 G, 26 A) in 50 games.
A power forward who has an ability to create turnovers and scoring chances with his physicality on the forecheck, Forrest noted how much he liked O'Donnell's "aggressive play and north-south style that fits well in how we prefer to play."
"He also has good finish around the net and in scoring areas."
Josh Kavanagh - D - Greater Sudbury Cubs, NOJHL
A 21 year-old from Hanmer, Ont. Kavanagh reunites with Golden Hawks forward
Callum Chisholm, with whom he was teammates during a two-year run with the OHL's Barrie Colts.
Kavanagh played his first OHL season with the Peterborough Petes before being traded to the Colts prior to the start of the 2022/23 campaign.
He joins Laurier coming off a league championship with the Greater Sudbury Cubs of the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League. In 42 regular season games, the right-shot defenceman was almost a point per game player, totaling 11 goals and and 23 assists.
His offensive play carried over into the NOJHL postseason, where he notched 11 assists in 16 games.
Described by former coaches and teammates as a "team-first, character guy," there is excitement to have him join the fold in Waterloo.
"Josh checks a lot of boxes for us on the defensive side of the game," said Forrest. "His willingness to sacrifice and block shots stands out every night and is infectious among his teammates."
"Although it's his defense that first stands out, there's also a history of providing some offense shown in his younger years that led him to the OHL and then again as he wrapped up his junior career in the NOJHL as he continues to develop and grow his game."
Lucas Chard - LW/C - London Nationals, GOJHL
After starting last season with the Leamington Flyers of the Ontario Junior Hockey League, 20 year-old Lucas Chard from Burlington, Ont. made a splash in his jump to the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League, becoming the league's second-leading point producer.
The 6'0 forward has proven throughout his junior career that he has the ability to put up points consistently, and that was no different in just 40 games for the London Nationals when he recorded a team-high 71 points and 48 assists (along with 23 goals). Chard followed that up with a point per game pace in the playoffs, notching 22 in 17 games played.
Named a GOJHL Western Conference First-Team All-Star and its Player of the Year, the Laurier coaching staff is "hoping that's a trend that will continue as he continues to develop and grow his game here over the next few years."
Gallery: (5-31-2024) Men's hockey 2024-25 recruits
