#RivNation get ready to welcome our newest addition, Derek Hamelin.
Hamelin, a Montreal, Quebec native, joins us from the USHL’s Omaha Lancers. The 20 year old left handed D man stands at 5’11 166 pounds and is a commit to Canisius College for 2018-2019 season next year. He will wear number 24 for the Rivermen and will make his debut tomorrow night against the Prince George Spruce Kings.
“I am super excited to get going this weekend, met the guys on Thursday when I got in, skated today (Friday) and it was pretty clear early in practice that we have a talented and deep group here. The guys are all pretty close and get along really well, I’m just trying to be me and add to that.”
Said Hamelin.
But not everyone here is new to him, Derek joins two former teammates in Trevor St. Jean and Connor Marshall.
“Marsh and Jeaner ( Connor Marshall and Trevor St. Jean ) are good friends of mine, I trust them and when they talked so highly of Coach Henderson and his Staff, and the group and how well the guys get along as a group, I knew it was something i wanted to be apart of, Marsh recently joined the team and I know he’s enjoying it and thats something I want to be apart of.”
Added Hamelin. We caught up with Nic Ponak after practice;
“Hes fast, smooth skater, smart, shoots the puck really well, and that was all in just an hour of practice. He wore n ‘A’ last year and can add to our leadership which is always great. I think I speak for everyone when I say were pumped to have him here and have him help contribute to our early success. But we are not getting ahead of ourselves, we know the work is just beginning.
Come watch your Rivermen and our newest edition take the ice Saturday Oct 28 against the Prince George Spruce Kings and we are back at it Sunday at 2pm for our Halloween Game against the Alberni Valley Bulldogs.
