WATERLOO, Ont. - The Laurier Golden Hawks men's hockey program has added proven offensive talent down the middle with the commitment of forward Brendan Ruskowski to its 2026-27 recruiting class.

The 21-year-old Langley, B.C., native arrives at Laurier after a standout season with the Alberta Junior Hockey League's Whitecourt Wolverines, where he finished second on the team in goals with 29 and third in scoring with 60 points in 51 regular season games.

Ruskowski elevated his game in the playoffs, leading Whitecourt with 11 goals in 17 postseason contests as the Wolverines advanced to the AJHL final before falling to the Canmore Eagles in five games. His goal tally was the most by any player in the AJHL playoffs.

Among the highlights of his playoff run was a four-goal performance, making him just the fourth player in Wolverines' franchise history - and only the second in the postseason - to score four times in a single game. Ruskowski also delivered a Game 7 overtime winner during Whitecourt's series against the Grande Prairie Storm.

Before joining the Wolverines, the 6'1", 185-pound Ruskowski spent parts of three seasons competing in the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL).

"I chose Laurier because it gives me an opportunity to play for a great hockey program while continuing my education at a strong academic school," said Ruskowski.

"I'm a two-way centreman who is good at finding the back of the net, while also being reliable on faceoffs and in the defensive zone. I can't wait to get started with the team."

Ruskowski becomes the latest Whitecourt alumnus to join the Golden Hawks, following current Laurier forward Travis Verbeek.

Laurier manager of men's hockey operations and head coach Kevin Forrest said Ruskowski checked several boxes as the program looked to strengthen its centre depth heading into the upcoming season.

"When looking to fill an offensive need down the middle, Brendan was a player who really stood out during his team's playoff run with Whitecourt, playing key minutes in all areas of the game and showing a knack for scoring some big goals when it mattered most," said Forrest.

"He's really good on faceoffs, which was a priority for us to address this summer. Brendan's a player with a high compete level on both sides of the puck. He makes us bigger and stronger down the middle, and is another player who can make us a better team inside the tougher scoring areas this season."

The Golden Hawks open their season at home on October 9 against the Brock Badgers. Season and single-game tickets are on sale now at tickets.laurierathletics.com