The Kangaroos will be looking for a couple new players to fill vacancies in last year’s line-up at the tryouts this month.
Both Alessio Tomassetti and Rigby Burgart are heading south to Kamloops to attend University and play hockey for the school’s team.
Burgart, a forward for last year’s Kamgaroos, will head to Thompson Rivers University (TRU) come September to join the TRU WolfPack.
A gritty forward who knew how to score, Burgart will leave a large hole in the lineup.
Last year, Burgart had 14 goals and 16 assists and 14 penalty minutes in 16 games. He added four goals and six assists in the post season, leading the Kangaroos.
“I’m excited about returning to play competitive hockey at the same time as going to school,” Burgart said.
“I’m more motivated than ever to get a good education and playing for a good team as well.
“I hear Kamloops is a great hockey city and supports all their teams including the WolfPack. I’m also looking forward to getting out and being involved in the WolfPack’s community activities.”
Burgart is enrolled in the electrical program at Thompson Rivers.
“We are pleased to announce that Rigby Burgart will attend TRU in the fall and play for the WolfPack Men’s Hockey team,” Chris Hans, The WolfPack general manager, said.
“Rigby is an important addition to the program as he brings considerable WHL and BCHL experience to our lineup. Rigby brings a tough, physical style of play to our team which is an area coach Schulz and I identified as something we needed to improve upon for the 2012/2013 BCIHL season.”
Tomassetti, a centre for the Kangaroos last year, has signed a letter of intent to join Burgart at TRU in the fall.
With 13 goals and 19 assists in 18 games which helped the Kangaroos make the Coy Cup Championship Final, Tomassetti will be missed by the team.
The coaching staff at TRU, however, are very pleased to add him to the team.
“I’m very pleased that Alessio has finally committed to us after two years of him on our radar,” Head coach Don Schulz said.
“I coached Alessio when I was an assistant with the Storm. He’s very fit and has an intense personality, one that I can reach though. He was arguably our best forward during the Keystone Tournament which is the Western Canadian championships with Jr. B. He can score and is dynamic offensively, but can be sound defensively.”
Tomasseti is equally excited to be headed to Kamloops to join the team.
“I heard the TRU hockey program is a great one and its had a lot of success,” Tomassetti said.
“They have almost won the title a couple of times and I am hoping this year I can help bring it home.”
Besides playing hockey, Tomassetti is registered in the electrical trades program at TRU.
The Kangaroos are having their tryouts for the upcoming season this month, Aug. 20.
