Wolverines end season as North Champs, Brooks claims second Gas Drive Cup Title

The Whitecourt Wolverines 2016/17 season has sadly come to an end after they lost 4-1 to the Brooks Bandits on Tuesday evening at the Scott Safety Centre. The Bandits came out firing, potting three goals in the first two periods and heading into the third with a 3-0 lead. Rookie Aidan Steinke, who ended up being named the Home Star, opened the scoring for the home team shortly into the final frame but, unfortunately, that would be the only Wolverines goal in the game. Brooks snuck one more in by the time the final buzzer sounded, taking the win 4-1 and the series, 4-0.

The Wolverines have nothing to be sad about after a franchise record-breaking season and a proud banner to hang up as the North Division Champions. Their run towards the Gas Drive Cup didn’t end the way they hoped it would but they battled hard against one of the top teams in the country and, for that, they should be very proud. This season saw coach Gord Thibodeau become the winningest coach in league history and, in doing so, helped lead the Wolverines to their first berth in a league championship series and, ultimately, the North title.

Several players reached career highs in points including Mitch Lipon who in his first season as a Wolverine, finished the regular season as the points’ leader with 73 points. Close behind was Justin Young who at 69 points had his best season out of four with the Wolverines’ squad. Liam Motley, Joseph Nardi, and Nick Quillan were just a short list of players who had career highs and Morgan Messenger notched another 50-point season.

As the saying goes, there’s no rest for the weary, and this is certainly true for the Wolverines. Straight off a hard-fought post-season, they immediately opened their spring camp and are getting back to work. They are hungrier than ever before to not only keep hold of their current North title, but to fight for their right to hoist the Gas Drive Cup.

Just released on April 21 was the news that associate coach Mike Mueller would not be returning to the Wolverines organization as both sides agreed not to renew his one-year contract. The Wolverines’ website stated, “We thank him for his hard work and dedication during the 2016-2017 hockey season. He was an integral part of the Wolverines success and the organization wants to recognize his immense contribution to our team. The entire Wolverines organization wishes Mike the best of luck in his future hockey endeavours.”