The Thompson Rivers University WolfPack hockey team wanted to improve upon its grittiness as it prepares for the 2012-13 BC Intercollegiate Hockey League season.
They went in that direction as they announced the signing of 21-year-old forward Rigby Burgart of Fort St. James, BC.
Burgart, who is 5 feet, 10 inches and 195 pounds has played two years in both the Western Hockey League (Calgary Hitmen 2008-10) and the BC Hockey League (Quesnel Millionaires 2007-08 and 2010-11). He is known as a player who excels down low and in the corners.
He spent this past season (2011-12) playing with the Quesnel Kangaroos of the Central Interior Hockey League (Senior hockey).
He had 14 goals and 16 assists and 14 penalty minutes in 16 games.
He added four goals and six assists and was the Kangaroos leading scorer in the playoffs.
“I’m excited about returning to play competitive hockey at the same time as going to school,” says Burgart, who will be enrolling in the electrical program at Thompson Rivers. “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.”
“I have heard great things about the league and one of my friend’s brother (Darcy Huisman of Smithers, BC) played with the WolfPack a couple of years ago,” said Burgart.
He says ‘Pack general manager Chris Hans approached him two years ago about coming to Thompson Rivers to play.
“I decided to take a season off and at the same time, do some thinking on what I wanted to do as a job in the future, said Burgart. “I got back on the ice in Quesnel and really wanted to come back to a really competitive environment. TRU offered everything I wanted.”
“We are pleased to announce that Rigby Burgart will attend TRU in the fall and play for the WolfPack Men’s Hockey team as a forward. Rigby is an important addition to the program as he brings considerable WHL and BCHL experience to our lineup,” said Hans. “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.
“I’ve watched Rigby play since his first season in Quesnel (2007/2008) and have admired the way he plays the game. He’s an honest, tough hockey player. I expect Rigby to play a significant role for the ‘Pack for years to come.”
Head coach Don Schulz is also looking forward to working with Burgart, who had six goals and seven assists along with 224 minutes in penalty time in two seasons in Quesnel. “I’m very excited to have a player of Rigby’s experience joining our program. To reiterate what Chris Hans alluded to is that we needed to get bigger and grittier. Rigby is an experienced player that can skate and add to the physicality quotient to our team play. He’s a welcome addition to the WolfPack and I’ll be looking to Rigby to provide significant contributions on and off the ice for years to come.”
Burgart had four goals and eight points along with 227 minutes in penalty time in 106 career games with the WHL Calgary Hitmen.