The U18 AA Lake Country Timberwolves open their home tournament this Friday at 10:30 a.m. at the AHC. Pictured is forward Sasha Zarichny. (Photo courtesy: Barry Otterson)

By paNOW Staff

Hockey Town North

U18 AA Timberwolves set to host Ron Gunville Memorial Tournament

Nov 8, 2023 | 2:00 PM

With the Prince Albert Raiders on their American road swing and the P.A. Mintos heading to Swift Current for a double-header, the Lake Country Timberwolves will be taking to centre ice in ‘Hockey Town North’ this weekend.

The team, sponsored by Lake Country Co-op, is hosting the 3^rd annual U18 AA Ron Gunville Memorial Tournament. Gunville passed away in 2018 from cancer at the age of 48. He was key in building the Raiders team that won the 2019 WHL Championship and was also a former player for the organization.

“Ron lived, breathed and gave back to the game of hockey in Prince Albert,” said Timberwolves head coach Derek Simonson. “The Gunville family’s imprint on the city’s hockey landscape is far reaching and this tournament holds an extra special connection to our hockey community in honouring Ron and his family.”

U18 AA Lake Country Timberwolves goalie Wyatt Nelson. (Photo courtesy: Barry Otterson)

A total of seven teams are participating in the tournament which takes place at both the Art Hauser Centre and Kinsmen Arena starting Friday morning. Simonson said it’s an opportunity for his team to hone their skills against some league rivals and see how they measure up against new teams visiting from Winnipeg, Strathcona, and southern Saskatchewan.

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“As a coaching staff, we are very pleased with the progress of our team to date. We knew that the loss of 11 veterans from last season was a bit daunting and has made us a lot younger, but with that we’re seeing a ton of excitement from our younger group with lots of speed, energy and compete every night and our remaining vets have also been great thus far on and off the ice to lead us in the right direction,” said Simonson.

Timberwolves captain Seth Otterson. (Photo courtesy: Barry Otterson)

Timberwolves captain Seth Otterson said the team last year, formally known as the Vulcans, won the tournament and the team’s goal is to repeat that accomplishment.

“When we follow coach Derek’s game plan and execute our assignments, good things happen on the ice. The team has been working hard and our record has been showing that hard work,” Otterson said.

In eight games played so far this season, the Timberwolves have a record of 6-2-0 which puts them fourth in their division with a couple games in hand. Despite some recent injuries and a player transfer to a U18 AAA team outside of town, Simonson said they’re still in a good spot.

“It’s inevitable in this game to have injuries and movement in the roster at some point in the season and it can impact the team somewhat, but it also provides an opportunity for others to band together, dig in and compete harder to work through the adversity. Our group is very positive and understands that obstacles and challenges along the way will only make us stronger come February.”

Timberwolves Kaden Petit and Owen Willie. (Photo courtesy: Barry Otterson)

Several Timberwolves are currently listed on the reserve roster for the Mintos: goalies Wyatt Nelson and Alex Gray, forwards Jack Simonson, Tye Semenchuk, Trey Mudry and Owen Willie, and defencemen Tyrell Flodell and Gareg Painter. Simonson said with many players knocking on the door of AAA hockey, it will add to the excitement and level of play this weekend.

“We hope our great hockey community will come out and watch some good hockey. You will not be disappointed.”

The Timberwolves open the tournament Friday morning at 10:30 against the Humboldt Broncos at the Art Hauser Centre.

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