The UNB Varsity Reds hockey program is proud to announce the
addition of two top defensemen to the 2014-15 lineup.
Alex Wall, a native of Mount Pearl, Newfoundland, will join the
V-Reds after completing his degree at the University of
Prince Edward Island, as will Randy Gazzola from Thorald, Ontario,
who was a key member of the QMJHL Champion Val d’Or Foreurs
this past season.
The 6’2’, 225 lb Gazzola had a breakout year as a
20-year-old in Val d’Or with 16 - 58 -74 points, which made
him the second leading scorer for defenseman in the QMJHL during
the regular season. He continued his dominance in the post
season scoring 24 points in 24 playoff games to help his team
secure a role in the Memorial Cup Championships. Gazzola was
named to the QMJHL 1st All Star team and was a finalist
for the Emile Bouchard award as the league’s top
defenseman.
Gazzola made his QMJHL debut with the Halifax Mooseheads before
being traded to Val d’Or during the 2012-13 season. He
attended the San Jose Sharks rookie camp this summer before
confirming his decision to attend UNB where he will study
Kinesiology.
Wall played four seasons in the QMJHL with St. John's, Montreal,
Moncton and Quebec and amassed 22 goals and 92 assists in that
time. He was a member of the QMJHL Champion Moncton Wildcats and
had a career best 6-43-49 for the Quebec Ramparts in his seaon as a
20-year-old.
Wall also spent three seasons with UPEI in the AUS, racking up
eight goals and 27 assists. The 5’10”, 190lb speedster
was a member of the AUS All Stars who won the 2013 Winter
Universiade where he played a key role in the success of the team.
Wall was a three-time Academic All-Canadian at UPEI where he
completed his degree in just three years. He will be enrolled in
UNB’s graduate studies program.
"We're very excited to have Alex and Randy join the blue line
for us," V-Reds coach Gardiner MacDougall said. "They are two high
impact players who both have outstanding pedigrees and Memorial Cup
experience. Alex is an outstanding puck mover who can be very
active on the rush while Randy has outstanding puck sense and makes
great decisions at both ends of the rink.”
Associate coach Rob Hennigar, a former student-athlete for the
V-Reds, agrees.
"They are both great players and great students, both key
elements to succeeding here. They will both fit in well with what
we're trying to accomplish on the ice, in the classroom and in the
community."
Meanwhile, forward Matt Boudens took to Twitter to announce his commitment to the Varsity Reds for the upcoming season. Boudens has played the last 3 seasons in the QMJHL for the Drummondville Voltigeurs, captaining the team last year as he posted a career-high 24 goals and 35 assists in 67 games.
