Lethbridge – With training camp just around the corner, first-year bench boss Spiros Anastas has secured his first recruits and is pleased to announce six commitments for the 2014-15 season.

In the first six signings of the offseason, Anastas has added a good mix of youth and experience securing two CIS transfers, two NCAA transfers and two true freshmen. Joining the program for this coming season are goaltender Warren Shymko, forwards Greg Trichilo, Brandon Clowes, Manny Gialedakis, Justin Valentino, and defenceman Cody Bardock.

Shymko joins the Pronghorns after one season with the University of Ottawa Gee Gees. The 6-1 goaltender from Calder, Saskatchewan saw action in 19 games for the Gee Gees and accumulated a 10-5 record with a 2.76 goals-against-average and a 0.900 save percentage.

Prior to joining University of Ottawa, Shymko played four seasons in the SJHL with the Yorkton Terriers and Kindersley Klippers.

Shymko will be immediately eligible after the University of Ottawa suspended the hockey program for the 2014-15 season and the CIS eligibility committee granted players an open one-time transfer.

"Warren is a great competitor who will challenge for the starting role in our program," said head coach Spiros Anastas.  "He has earned everything in his career and took a struggling team last season on his shoulders and carried them into the playoffs."

"His size and skillset makes us deeper and better in the crease and I am excited for the battle he will bring in camp and throughout the duration of the season."
The second CIS transfer, Greg Trichilo comes to the 'Horns after a season with Wilford Laurier University but will not be eligible to suit up for the 'Horns until the new year as per CIS transfer rules.

Trichilo, a 6-1 winger, suited up in only nine games last season for the Golden Hawks and recorded three assists.

An OHL draft pick of the Sudbury Wolves, Trichilo played one season with the Wolves before completing his junior career in the OJHL and BCHL.

As a 17 year-old, Trichilo played 60 games for the Wolves, recording one goal and two assists. The next season he split time between the Kingston Voyageurs and the Nepean Raiders. After a full season with the Voyageurs in 2011-12, he completed his junior career splitting time with the Voyageurs, Nanaimo Clippers, before returning to the OJHL with the Trenton Golden Hawks.

While with the Voyageurs, Trichilo was a teammate of current Pronghorn defenceman David McMullen.

In 96 games in the OJHL, Trichilo registered 90 points with 34 goals.

After one season with the University of Alabama Huntsville (NCAA), Calgary native Brandon Clowes will return to Canada and join the Pronghorns next season.
In 25 games last season Clowes recorded one goal and four assists.

Before heading south of the border, the six-foot forward played three seasons with the Olds Grizzlys of the AJHL. In 159 career games with the Grizzlys, Clowes recorded 70 goals and 71 points for 141 points.

"Brandon is an offensive forward who comes highly recommended by a number of my NCAA colleagues and Junior A coaches," said Anastas.  "He was a proven scorer during his time with the Olds Grizzlys and he is a great character student-athlete who will add to our scoring up front."

"With a year of US College experience under his belt, I expect him to come into the season in full stride and make an impact right away."

Also returning after a season south of the border is Manny Gialedakis, who spent last season with Oswego State University (NCAA III).

Gialedakis suited up in only four games last season for Oswego State, registering three assists.

Before his one season in Oswego State he scored 20 goals, while adding 26 assists in 52 games for the Port Alberni Bulldogs in the BCHL. The Woodbridge, Ontario native also spent a season with the Georgetown Raiders in the OJHL where he picked up 29 points in 44 games.

"Manny is a versatile player that can make any team better," said Anastas. "He played for me when I was the GM in Alberni Valley and quickly impressed."
"He was a great leader and added some scoring punch, finishing third on the team in points and leading the team in goals during the playoffs, I expect Manny to bring the same energy and tenacity to the table for the Pronghorns."

Both Clowes and Gialedakis are immediately eligible under the CIS eligibility repatriation rule, where Canadian student-athletes competing at an NCAA institution who wish to come back to Canada to play at a CIS member university will be able to do so and start competing right away, instead of having to wait for one year as was the case under the previous rule.

Joining the 'Horns as true freshmen next season will be Cody Bardock and Justin Valentino.
 
Bardock, a Lethbridge product, joins the Pronghorns after a junior career split between the AJHL and BCHL. The son of Pronghorn alumnus and men's soccer head coach Randy Bardock had stints with the Prince George Spruce Kings, Brooks Bandits, Sherwood Park Crusaders, Trail Smoke Eaters and Chilliwack Chiefs.
 
The 6'4 stay at home defenseman scored nine goals and added 24 assists in 111 career junior games.
 
"Cody is an extremely big bodied defenseman who will add great depth to our very talented defensive corps," said Anastas.  "He has the ability to box out opponents well while being a physical presence in the defensive zone." 
 
Valentino comes to the 'Horns after a four year career in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League (MJHL) which was highlighted by a semi-final appearance in the Canadian Junior National Championship tournament, Royal Bank Cup.
 
After spending most of his junior career with the Swan Valley Stampeders, Valentino was a late season acquisition of the Dauphin Kings. The Kings advanced to the Royal Bank Cup tournament following a runner-up finish in the MJHL and Western Canada Cup.
 
In 137 career junior games Valentino registered 115 points and another six during the Kings run to the MJHL final. He also registered seven assists during the Kings six games at the Western Canada Cup.
 
"Justin will bring great depth with some offensive ability to our lineup," said Anastas.  "He was very consistent through his three years of Junior A hockey, and was a valuable acquisition for the Dauphin Kings for their RBC Cup run."
 
"I am excited to coach a player like Justin, because he can fill many roles and is reliable in all ends of the ice."
 
"I am happy with the additions we have made thus far, and am waiting on one to three more potential recruits," said Anastas on his first recruits as the 'Horns head coach.  "My goal when I started late in the recruiting process was to make our roster deeper. I believe we have done that and we will be able to play four lines and six defensemen who can compete at a high level every night. 
 
"I am confident in the ability of many of our returning players and expect great second and third years out of them," continued Anastas.  "Adding four transfers to our program helps with experience, the transition period for these players will be short, if any at all, because they are accustomed to playing against players up to 25 years of age at the Collegiate level."
 
"We are confident that the team we have right now, if focused on the process, will compete every night and bring an exciting brand of hockey to the University of Lethbridge."
 
The 'Horns will open the 2014-15 Canada West season hosting the Mount Royal Cougars in the front half of a home-and-home series Thursday September 25^th.
 


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