Stanisz, Lomas, Sullivan and Tanski Commit to OUA Carleton Ravens

The Carleton Ravens men’s hockey team has bolstered its lineup for the 2011-12 season with the addition of four veteran Ontario Hockey League players.
Scott Tanksi (Brampton Battalion), Mike Lomas (Sudbury Wolves), Matt Stanisz (Owen Sound Attack) and Brent Sullivan (Sarnia Sting) have all committed to donning the Raven for the upcoming season.

Forwards Tanksi and Lomas will help out offensively, while Stanisz and Sullivan will look to fill the void left on defence by former captain Brad Good.
“We are excited about the impact our recruits will have on and off the ice this season,” says Ravens head coach Marty Johnston.

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Tanksi (Burlington, Ont.) joins the Ravens after four years with the Battalion where he compiled 133 points (53 goals, 80 assists) in 219 games, including 47 points (18 goals, 29 assists) in his last season.

“I think I can bring an offensive role coming from the OHL, I was more of a two way forward there but I think I can play in a top six role at Carleton, but still contribute defensively,” says Tanksi.

The 21-year-old right winger also attended the NHL’s Columbus Blue Jackets training camp the past two summers and won the community development award in Brampton last season. Playing with elite NHL talent has helped develop his game all around.

“I got the opportunity in my first year to go all the way to main camp. I got to play with guys like Rick Nash and see their work ethic and it gave me a perspective on my own game,” adds Tanksi. “Just getting the chance to be out there and compete with guys at that level was great.”
Tanksi is preparing for the transition to university hockey by working out with Stanisz in the offseason to prepare for the older and stronger players in the OUA.  He also is getting used to the idea of a different off-ice routine than he is used to in the OHL.

“There is a different lifestyle, going from 68 games to 28 games there is a little bit of a different pace off the ice, as well as dealing with school is something I have to get used to,” says Tanksi. “But on the ice I am pretty confident I can be up at the level from the get go.”
“We are thrilled that Scott will be a Raven next year,” says Johnston. “His leadership, work ethic and two-way play will be a huge asset.”

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The Ravens forward group will benefit from the addition of Lomas (Burlington, Ont.), who posted 206 points (82 goals, 124 assists) in 304 OHL games with four different teams, including more than a point per game with the Wolves last season.

“I’m going to have to work for whatever I get, its not going to be given to me,” says Lomas. “I would like to be a top six forward and give them some secondary scoring because they already have a great first line. I am going to play my hardest and work for whatever I get.”

Beyond scoring, Lomas will bring some grit to the Ravens lineup – the 20-year-old had 356 penalty minutes over his five year career in the OHL.
“Mike’s offensive abilities will help our attack this year,” says Johnston. “He has been a consistent scorer in the OHL and we expect him to be a threat to score every night.”

Lomas is excited to join Carleton with two of his friends from Burlington.
“Talking to Marty he seemed very interested in me and that was a big thing. I’ve also known a bunch of guys who have gone to Carleton and they loved it so that played a big part in my decision,” says Lomas.

“Two of my friends Tanksi and Stanisz are coming there and I’ll get to live with them so its great to be moving in with some guys I already know.”
Despite a very successful career in the OHL, Lomas maintains that the transition to OUA hockey will still be a challenge.

“The OHL was a big step up when I was 16 years old. I will have to develop a little physically, coming in this year I will be the youngest guy again and trying to prove myself. Because of the shorter season I will have to be in good shape,” says Lomas

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The Ravens have also added defenceman Mike Stanisz (Burlington, Ont.) to their defensive core. Over a five year OHL career with the Barrie Colts and the Owen Sound Attack, Stanisz scored 88 points (15 goals, 73 assists), with 43 (12 goals, 31 assists) in his final year. He was also a superb plus 78 in five seasons in the OHL.

“I think I have great leadership,” says Stanisz.  “I’ll be a rookie but I think my leadership will be a big presence. I also want to help out the power play and put up numbers while trying to stay effective in the defensive zone.”
Stanisz will also bring some valuable playoff experience with him – he won the OHL championship with Owen Sound in 2011 and was a major contributor in their 2011 Mastercard Memorial Cup run, posting 15 points (1 goal, 14 assists) in 22 games, as well as 23 points (1 goal, 22 assists) in 50 career playoff games.
“Even though it is a different league, winning a championship in any league requires the same kind of mentality,” adds Stanisz. “I will try and let the guys how great it is to win a championship and what it takes to win.”

Coach Johnston is also confident that Stanisz can bring leadership to the dressing room next season.
“Matt has had an unbelievable season with Owen Sound.  His play in the playoffs and the Memorial Cup showed that he is an elite junior aged player that plays his best when it matters the most,” says Johnston. “We will be looking for him to bring his championship experience and add some offense flair to our defensive core this season.”

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Sullivan (Carp, Ont.) spent most of his OHL career with the Sarnia Sting before being traded twice, to the Windsor Spitfires and the Soo Greyhounds at the 2011 deadline. In 126 games he scored 34 points (4 goals, 30 assists) and added 129 penalty minutes.

He spent the remainder of the 2011 season playing Junior “B” hockey in Sarnia to work on his all around game before joining the Ravens.
“I was an offensive defenseman early in my career and I ended up needing to round out my game as an all around tough guy to play against,” says Sullivan. “Next year I hope to bring back my offensive game from the blue line and not be a liability out there either.”

Sullivan is expecting a different style in the OUA, but is confident he can adapt quickly to the different pace.

“Everyone has to adapt and I think I adapt well,” says Sullivan. “I’ll have to get used to the size and speed, I went from being one of the oldest guys in the OHL and now I’ll be one of the youngest so I’ll have to adjust to the size and strength of the guys.”

“Brent is a highly skilled defenseman with great size,” says Johnston. “We will be looking for him to be a physical presence to opposing forwards in the OUA.”
The Ravens coaching staff and players are excited to add this level of talent to the team for the upcoming season.