Campus Life

Horns add defensive help

The University of Lethbridge Pronghorns men's hockey team has dipped into the Ontario talent pool for a pair of defencemen.

Horns' head coach Greg Gatto continues to revamp the defensive core of the men's hockey team, adding Tim Campbell and David McMullen, defensemen who each have Ontario Hockey League (OHL) experience.

Campbell, a native of Thornhill, ON, joins the 'Horns after finishing his junior career with the Woodstock Slammers of the Maritime Hockey League (MHL). In 45 games as a 20 year-old, Campbell registered 17 goals and 55 assists and was named the top defenseman in the MHL.

"I am excited and really looking forward to coming to the University of Lethbridge," says Campbell. "I fell in love with the city when I came out for my visit and can't wait to get started with the Pronghorns."

During his only season in Woodstock, he helped the Slammers win a MHL Championship and a berth in the RBC Championship. At the national championship tournament, Campbell registered five points in six games as the Slammers lost in the final to the Penticton Vees.

Prior to joining the Slammers, Campbell played three seasons in the OHL with the Guelph Storm, compiling eight goals and 39 assists in 166 career games.

"Tim was a pretty sought after guy and he showed great offensive upside last year in Woodstock," says Gatto. "He's a right shot that can quarterback our power play and he played three seasons with a great organization in the OHL."

Also making the trip out west is David McMullen, who played with his hometown Kingston Voyageurs in the Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL). The team captain for the past two seasons, McMullen registered 22 goals and 104 assists in 189 career games. In addition to playing four seasons with the Voyageurs, McMullen played one season in the OHL with the Niagara IceDogs.

"David is another right shot defenseman with good offensive instincts," says Gatto. "He was the captain in Kingston the past two seasons and it is always nice to add a guy with good leadership qualities like that."

Gatto continues to work on rounding out this year's recruiting class. The Horns will open the 2012-2013 Canada West season by hosting the Calgary Dinos in the front half of a home-and-home series on Thursday, Sept. 27.