(above) Incoming DU recruit Luke Salazar was the 2nd leading scorer in the NAHL last season with 41 goal and 46 assists in 58 gamesFrom: Wichita Falls Times Record News
by Zach Duncan
Incoming Freshman forward Luke Salazar is back in Wichita Falls this weekend training with his old NAHL team. He scored a goal during an intersquad scrimmage yesterday and is getting some ice time before heading to the University of Denver this Fall.
Including Salazar, the Wichita Falls Wildcats lose their top five scoring leaders from last season. So as the team’s final tryout camp opened Friday at Kay Yeager Coliseum, there’s no question what the foremost area of concern was on coach John Bowkus’ mind.
“You don’t lose two guys like that and not have something to worry about,” Bowkus said of the departed Adam Cardwell and Luke Salazar, the NAHL’s top two scorers a year ago. “We won’t replace them, but we’ll find guys similar to them.”
Salazar has turned heads across the junior hockey landscape last season, blossoming into one of the NAHL’s most dangerous sharpshooters in his second season with the Wildcats.
Coach Bowkus noted that Salazar uses his quickness and speed well, and that his vision and puck-handling abilities are superb.
While his growth on the ice was one reason for his breakout campaign, the Thornton, Colo., native also acknowledged that his success stemed from his linemates, who formed the most potent trio in the NAHL last season.
Salazar was the smallest guy on the Wildcats, weighing in at 155 pounds and standing 5-7. But that didn’t stop him from getting to the right places to score goals.
“His stature hasn’t hindered him whatsoever,” Bowkus said. “I’m sure he’d like to be taller, but he’s a legitimate Division I talent.”
Including Salazar, the Wichita Falls Wildcats lose their top five scoring leaders from last season. So as the team’s final tryout camp opened Friday at Kay Yeager Coliseum, there’s no question what the foremost area of concern was on coach John Bowkus’ mind.
“You don’t lose two guys like that and not have something to worry about,” Bowkus said of the departed Adam Cardwell and Luke Salazar, the NAHL’s top two scorers a year ago. “We won’t replace them, but we’ll find guys similar to them.”
Salazar has turned heads across the junior hockey landscape last season, blossoming into one of the NAHL’s most dangerous sharpshooters in his second season with the Wildcats.
Coach Bowkus noted that Salazar uses his quickness and speed well, and that his vision and puck-handling abilities are superb.
While his growth on the ice was one reason for his breakout campaign, the Thornton, Colo., native also acknowledged that his success stemed from his linemates, who formed the most potent trio in the NAHL last season.
Salazar was the smallest guy on the Wildcats, weighing in at 155 pounds and standing 5-7. But that didn’t stop him from getting to the right places to score goals.
“His stature hasn’t hindered him whatsoever,” Bowkus said. “I’m sure he’d like to be taller, but he’s a legitimate Division I talent.”
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