The Wilfrid Laurier University men’s hockey team may not have impressed on paper this season, but a deeper look beyond the stats reveals a story of resilience, grit and moments that couldn’t be captured in the numbers.
Throughout the season, we saw some improvement and some great performances from players such as second-year business student Thomas Lenart, who led the team in points with a total of 17 points in 28 games.
The team was strong offensively, only seeming to struggle with defense. Callum Chisholm, a second-year kinesiology student, commented on the team’s strengths following their game against the University of Guelph Gryphons on Jan. 18.
“Once we get in the other team’s zone, we do pretty good. I think we just have to do a better job defending, transitioning and getting it there,” Chisholm said.
Despite defensive struggles, the team’s goaltending was strong. All four of the teams’ goaltenders finished the season with save percentages above 80 per cent, with rookie goaltenders Tristan Malboeuf and Paris O’Brien both finishing above 90 per cent.
The team was largely made up of younger athletes, which put the Golden Hawks at a slight disadvantage compared to those with a more experienced team. But that didn’t stop the Hawks from working hard to develop their personnel and learn from every game.
“We’re building,” said first-year arts student Brendan Anderson, following their game against the University of Toronto Varsity Blues on Nov. 10. “We’re getting better every day, and we just have to keep trying to get better and better.”
Although the Golden Hawks only secured two wins after the winter break, their close-scoring games showcased a noticeable improvement in performance, proving they were playing with greater strength and determination compared to before. The Senior Night game against the University of Windsor Lancers on Feb. 15 had an unfortunate ending, with a final score of 6-4 in favor of the Lancers. But that didn’t stop the Golden Hawks from having a good game to honor the graduating athletes.
The senior athletes mentioned at this game included fourth-year arts student and team captain Patrick Brown, fourth-year arts student and assistant captain Sam Rhodes, fourth-year arts student Evan Benwell, fourth-year business student Tyler Davis and fourth-year economics major and goaltender Stephen Giansante.
The loss of these players leaves a big gap to fill for the next season, but it also presents an opportunity for younger players to rise and take on more significant roles in the team. While the 2024-25 Wilfrid Laurier men’s hockey season may not have been successful in terms of wins and statistics, it showed promise for the future.
If they continue to work hard during the off-season and build on their experiences, the Golden Hawks could come back stronger and more competitive next season.
Contributed Photo/Jasmine Abel
