Lancers add four student-athletes in first wave of 2023-24 recruits
Lancers’ men’s hockey head coach Kevin Hamlin has announced the commitment of four standout student-athletes in his first wave of recruits for the 2023-24 season.
Local product Spencer Lecot, defenseman David Jesus, and forwards Jacob Boucher and Nathan Kelly will join the blue and gold for the upcoming season.
“I am really excited about this years’ recruiting class. I feel we have high end talent but more importantly, high end character to add to the existing group which is phenomenal,” said Hamlin. “I am thrilled about this team and look forward to working hard with a group of men who share the same vision and passion for Lancer hockey.”
A current University of Windsor student, Lecot is the captain of the LaSalle Vipers and an excellent addition to the Lancer blueline. The Harrow, ON defenseman led the Vipers in scoring with 48 points (17 goals, 31 assists) in 46 games played throughout the regular season and continued to lead the squad in the post season with eight points (4 goals, 4 assists) in nine games played. Lecot was a second-round draft pick (22nd overall) for the Flint Firebirds and played four games for the blue and gold this past season when the Lancers were short-handed.
Joining Lecot on the blueline is 6’4 David Jesus. Following a successful rookie season with the Oshawa Generals in 2019-20, Jesus was invited to the Arizona Coyotes rookie camp, and during the pandemic related extended off-season, Jesus played in Slovakia where he suited up for 20 games with the Liptovsky Mikulas.
Jesus is expected to be a major contributor on the already talented veteran defensive core for the blue and gold and will study in the Odette School of Business.
Jacob Boucher joins the Lancers from the Humboldt Broncos of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League. An excellent athlete that can bring a lot of offence, Boucher had 36 points (17 goals, 19 assists) in 40 games played during his overage season in 2022-23, while contributing 9 points in ten games in the playoffs. He was a leader on the team and was utilized on special teams and important 5 v 5 scenarios.
Prior to joining the Broncos, the St. Albert, AB native spent the last three full seasons in the WHL registering 30 points (12g, 18a) in 64 career games with the Lethbridge Hurricanes, Edmonton Oil Kings, and Vancouver Giants.
“We’re very excited for Jacob to land the commitment to Windsor and play U SPORTS hockey to further his education and hockey career. He’s an impact player with very highly gifted offensive abilities. He’s going to contribute right away at the next level,” said Humboldt head coach Scott Barney.
Nathan Kelly had a tremendous season in the Maritime Hockey League during the 2022-23 season. Starting the season with the Fredericton Red Wings, Kelly finished the year with the Yarmouth Mariners accumulating 71 points throughout the season and helping the Mariners to a first-place finish in the standings.
A native of Paradise, NL, Kelly is a fierce competitor that is expected to bring some much-needed depth to the centre position and will study business this September.