The New Tecumseth Civics are proud to announce the signings of Forwards Jeff Venzon, Michael Willis and Austin Petrie for the remainder for the remainder of the 2018-2019 season.

Petrie and Venzon are 1997 born, while Willis is a 1998 and all three have experience playing Junior ‘B’ or Junior ‘A’ in Canada. The three are all from different places geographically however Petrie and Venzon have been friends for a couple of years having played together in Fort Frances.

Venzon, 6’2” from Niagara Falls, last played for the Waywayseecappo Wolverines in the MJHL (Manitoba Junior ‘A’ Hockey League) where he had 4 Points in 11 games played, joining them halfway through the season after a trade from the Fort Frances Lakers of the SIJHL( Superior International Junior ‘A’ Hockey League) where he had 3 points in 13 games. Prior to that season Venzon had spent 2 seasons playing in the GOJHL (Greater Ontario Junior ‘B’ Hockey League) including a time with the Pelham Panthers where he had 20 Points (8G,12A) in 23 games. Venzon will be wearing number #9. Venzon will be looked upon to provide an offensive spark and steady play setting up his teammates and creating opportunities for himself as well.

Willis, also standing at 6’2”, is from East Hants Nova Scotia and for those of you familiar with the team you may recognize that is also where Civics forward Jared Paul is from and Jared and Willis are longtime friends. Willis has spent the last 5 seasons playing for the Brookfield Elks of the NSJHL (Nova Scotia Junior ‘B’ Hockey League) where he had 91 points in 139 games, this included a season where Willis had 32 Points (13G, 19A) in 34 games and received a call up to the Truro Bearcats of the MJAHL (Maritime Junior ‘A’ Hockey League). Willis will be wearing number #15 and is expected to be a two way player with some time spent on the back end as a defenseman as well.

The Last of the trio has possibly the most impressive resumes including some professional games, the 5’10” Petrie being the player and the professional experience coming during a short stint this year with the Danville Dashers of the FHL (Federal Hockey League). Prior to this season Petrie, from St.  Louis Missouri spent the last past 2 seasons playing hockey in Canada splitting time between the Fort Frances Lakers of the SIJHL, and the Timmins Rock and French River Rapids of the NOJHL (Northern Ontario Junior ‘A’ Hockey League). During this time Petrie was a spark plug for his team’s offense providing a high energy and hard work in every shift, he put up 24 Points in 56 Games during that time frame. Petrie will be wearing number #.77

Civics Assistant GM Jordan Richardson was quite excited about the deadline signings, “It’s kind of like Christmas in January, I think over the course of the season we have proven that we are a legitimate threat on any given night in our division, the fact that we are adding three proven and established veterans to our lineup should only further solidify our status as contenders, as a franchise we know what it takes to have a deep playoff run and I personally know what it takes to go on to win a Russell Cup Championship and I feel like we have the pieces to make a run. Austin, Michael, and Jeff are all extremely talented and we can’t wait to see our team on the ice.”

Petrie and Willis will be making their debuts this week at home against the Almaguin Spartans while Venzon will be joining the team in time for the Civics following game on the road against the Bradford Bulls on the 23rd of January, welcome to all 3 of you to Civic Nation