Four promising student-athletes have committed during the early signing period to attend Clarkson University and play hockey for the Golden Knights next season. Clarkson head coach George Roll, associate coach Greg Drechsel and assistant coach Jean-Francois Houle have recruited another talented class, consisting of three forwards and one defenseman.
Chris D’Alvise, Shea Guthrie, Tyrell Mason and Mike Willemsen will add to the youthful depth of the Knights, whose first two recruiting classes under Roll have produced six NHL Draft choices. “With the potential in this class, we feel they can make an immediate impact on our team,” stated Roll. “They all come programs that have been successful and we hope that they will continue to develop here at Clarkson.”
A 5-11, 165-pound center from Mississauga, Ontario, D’Alvise currently plays for the Wexford Raiders in the Ontario Provincial Junior Hockey League (OPJHL). Through the first 23 games of the 2004-05 campaign, D’Alvise, an assistant captain, led Wexford in scoring with 30 points on a team-high 18 goals and 12 assists. His father, Dan, was drafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 11th round of the 1975 NHL Draft and skated with Team Canada in the 1980 Olympics. His uncle, Bob D'Alvise, was an All-America at Michigan Tech in 1975.
“Chris is a center who skates very well and possesses good hockey sense,” stated Drechsel. “He sees the ice well, makes the smart play and plays with a high level of competitiveness. As he develops physically and gains strength, he should emerge as a very good Division I hockey player.”
Guthrie, a 6-0, 190-pound center from Carleton Place, Ontario, is a standout center for St. George's Prep School, who committed to Clarkson last season. Guthrie received the Eberhart Division MVP and was named to the NEPSIHA Division 2 First Team last year. In 2004, for the second straight year he was named an Eberhart first team all-star. For his career, entering this season, he had amassed 66 goals and 62 assists in 49 games. Guthrie is projected to be an early-round selection in the 2005 NHL Draft according to the NHL CSB Preliminary Rankings.
“Shea may be one of the most complete players that we have recruited since we have been here as a staff,” remarked Drechsel. “He combines strong skating, good skills, excellent hockey sense and a little bit of grit to go with it. He has the potential to be a very special hockey player at Clarkson.”
A native of Dawson Creek, British Columbia, Mason is a 6-2, 180-pound defenseman for the Salmon Arm Silverbacks. Through the first 23 games of the British Columbia Junior Hockey League (BCHL) season, Mason was Salmon Arm’s leading scorer from the blueline with 25 points, including a team-high 22 assists. He was named to the BCHL All-Rookie team last season after scoring 36 points (7-29) in 59 games.
“Tyrell has good size, competes hard and is a very good skating defenseman,” says Drechsel. “He moves the puck well, has good vision and makes an excellent first pass. He should be a key contributor on our power play. Tyrell has a lot of upside and will more than likely be selected in the 2005 NHL Draft.”
Willemsen, a 6-0, 202-pound left wing, currently plays for the Cumberland Grads in the Central Ontario Jr. Hockey League (COJHL), while attending the University of Ottawa. The Stittsville, Ontario native, who committed to Clarkson last year, has scored seven goals and 11 assists for 18 points through 17 games this season. In 49 games last year, Willemsen tallied 23 goals and 15 assists. He was slected in the 10th round of the 2002 OHL Draft by the Kitchener Rangers.
“Mike is an up-and-down the wing player,” stated Drechsel. “He will add a physical dimension to our team with his in-your-face style of play. Mike shoots the puck well and we expect him to contribute offensively.”
