The Squamish Wolf Pack started to gather by the summer solstice moon as the first four members of the Pacific International Junior Hockey League (PIJHL) expansion team were signed this past weekend.Jeremy Ennis, Mike Bosa and Tobias Kathan were added to the forward lineup while blueliner Derek Stewart is the first to bring up the rear, according to head coach Matt Samson. Ennis, Bosa and Stewart played for the Squamish Cougars of the World Hockey Association (WHA) last year while Kathan played for the Osoyoos Whalers.Local favourite Ennis is back in town after finishing the year with the Colorado Outlaws of the Western States Hockey League (WSHL). Although playing Tier 2 Junior 'A' hockey south of the border was a good experience, the 19-year-old is excited to be back home. "I'm happy to be playing in Squamish. I know Matt really well and we've got a good fan base here. I'm a local kid so a lot of people know me and a lot of people come out to watch the local guys play so it's pretty nice," he said.At this point in the training camp schedule, Samson is only signing players he expects to be dressing as top six forwards or top four defencemen. If Ennis stays healthy and keeps focused, he should be one of the Wolf Pack's impact players. "He certainly has the talent," said Samson. "He's been playing for me for two years and we see him as being someone who can be a top player in the league."Ennis has a lot to play for because he has hopes of playing university hockey in the United States. So far, he's received a recruitment package from the University of Utah and has his sights on the University of Minnesota at Crookston as well. Being a core member for an expansion team should be a strengthening challenge."It's a bit scary because you never know what's coming at you," said Ennis. "There's new chemistry and you've got to come together fast if you want to have a good first year."Germany's Kathan, 20, is the first import to be signed. Samson expects the six-foot, 210-pound forward to create goals although he may not always be the one scoring them, he said. "He's a physical presence. He likes to hit and muck it up. He's a good guy who can go in and work and dig the puck up for the goal scorers."Leftwinger Mike Bosa of Burnaby played half the year with the Cougars last year after moving from North Delta. The 19-year-old impressed the coaching staff early, said Samson."He came up to Whistler, had a really good camp so we wanted to sign him as soon as we could commit to him because we think he'll be an impact player."Defenceman Derek Stewart is the youngest to be signed at 18 years old. The six-foot-one, 185-pound Chilliwack native was top four on the back end with the Cougars last year. Samson thinks he could be just a year away from Junior 'A' if he can strengthen his confidence on the ice.The Wolf Pack runs its Lower Mainland camp in Burnaby July 6-7 and then runs a camp in Denver, Colorado, July 17 to find import players.The final Squamish camp starts Aug. 31.Anyone interested in billeting Wolf Pack players for the 2008-2009 season should contact Samson at [email protected]. Billets get $400 per month to cover things like food costs and a pair of season tickets, said Samson. "It's a good experience and obviously it helps kids who are coming in from all over the place to settle in and feel like part of the family for six months."
