Three WHL Grads to attend University of Lethbridge; play for the Horns

Lethbridge, AB – University of Lethbridge men’s hockey Head Coach Greg Gatto is pleased to announce the commitment of four freshmen and a transfer for upcoming Canada West season.

Highlighted by local product Taylor Gal, Ryan Letts, Tyler Melancon and Mason Conway have all committed to the Horns, while Nick Hotson, who red-shirted last season is now eligible after transferring from the University of Manitoba.

Gal, chose to forgo his 20 year-old WHL season with the Medicine Hat Tigers and join his hometown Horns. Last season, his second full season with the Tigers, the 5’11 winger registered career high with 57 points (19 goals, 38 Assists). In addition to two seasons with the Tigers, Gal also played two seasons with the Brooks Bandits in the AJHL.

“It’s really important for us to have local kids return home and Taylor is a complete package,” said Gatto. “He is such a good skater, we expect him to step in and play in all situations for us.”

Western Hockey League grad, Ryan Letts joins the Horns after five WHL seasons, split between the Calgary Hitmen and the Spokane Chiefs, highlighted by a Memorial Cup Championship with the Chiefs in 2009. The Newport, California native played 256 career WHL games and produced a career best 20 points during Spokane’s Memorial Cup season.

“Anytime you can add a player who has won a Memorial Cup, they are a good addition,” Said Coach Gatto. “Ryan is a big power winger who will bring a physical dimension as well as great leadership to our team.”

Another WHL grad, Nick Hotson officially joins the Pronghorn program after red-shirting last season due to CIS eligibility regulations. Hotson played with the Manitoba Bisons two seasons ago after completing a four WHL career with the Portland Winter Hawks and Lethbridge Hurricanes. In 206 career WHL games the 6’4” winger recorded 46 goals and 60 assists.

In 22 games with the Bisons, Hotson scored five times, while adding 8 assists.

“Nick’s a big right shot center who will be a top six forwards and help our power play,” Said Gatto. “ He has a year of experience in Canada West and is chomping at the bit after having to sit out last year.”

Dipping back into the Ontario market that has produced the likes of current Horns Andrew Courtney, Andrew Marshall and Ryan Pottruff, Coach Gatto has secured the commitment of former OHL forward Tyler Melancon. Melancon played three seasons with the Guelph Storm, before completing his junior career in Tier 2 with the Kingston Voyageurs. In 55 games last season, Tyler scored 36 goals and 52 assists and in 190 career OHL he registered 98 points.

“Tyler is a smaller skilled center who brings three years of OHL experience,” said Gatto. “He should help us on the power play and creating offense.”

Southern Alberta native mason Conway is the lone defenceman that Coach Gatto has added and joins the Horns after three seasons in the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL). The Foremost, AB native split his junior career between the Okotoks Oilers and Fort McMurray Oil Barons and as a 20 year-old set career high for points with 29, while compiling 161 penalty minutes.

“Mason is a smooth skating d-man who is another southern Alberta boy and will be a nice addition to our back end and PP unit,” said Gatto.

The Horns men’s hockey team will kick off the Canada West season hosting the Calgary Dinos October 15th.