Lakehead Thunderwolves

"Nor'Westers" was the name of the sports teams of Lakehead University, located in Thunder Bay, Ontario, from 1965-66 to 1984-85. After folding their team for 17 seasons, L.U. came back to life in 2001-02 with teams called the "Thunderwolves". They are now members of Ontario University Athletics (OUA) and U Sports (formerly known as CIS).
Their websites are www.thunderwolves.ca and www.thunderwolveshockey.com.
=Lakehead Nor'Westers=
 The Lakehead Nor'Westers started in 1965-66 in the International Collegiate Hockey Association (ICHA) where they played American teams from the NAIA. In 1967 they won the conference title. In 1971 and 1973 they lost the final of the NAIA National Championship, both times to the Bemidji State Beavers, now in the NCAA. The ICHA also included future NCAA contenders the Lake Superior Lakers and the St. Cloud State Huskies. The records for that league are sparse. There are many stories floating around, which are linked at the ICHA page.
The Nor'Westers joined the Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) in 1972-73 where they played until 1984-85. The Nor'Westers were one of the founding GPAC teams, along with the Brandon Bobcats, Winnipeg Wesmen, and Manitoba Bisons. Their only GPAC title was won in 1973. There was no playoff. Lakehead was first with a 9-3 record, 2 points ahead of the Wesmen. In the University Cup quarter-finals they lost 3-1 and 9-3 to the Alberta Golden Bears.
The GPAC teams played a relatively short schedule in those early years, which allowed the Nor'Westers to continue playing in the ICHA for a few more years. Eventually the GPAC teams picked up their schedules, and the addition of the Regina Cougars in 1976-77 made the league more competitive. After Lakehead's one title, the Bisons, Cougars, and Bobcats each won 4 titles and Lakehead never really came close again.
The Nor'Westers returned to the Thunder Bay local ranks in 1980-81 and 1981-82 when they participated in the Thunder Bay Hockey League.
In 1984-85 the once proud team went 0-24 in a four team conference (the Wesmen had folded after the 1983-84 season). A suspension of Brandon for illegal payments to athletes allowed the winless Nor'Westers to make the playoffs. They lost to Regina by scores of 8-2 and 8-1 in a dismal semi-final series.
===Season-by-Season Records===
{| class="prettytable" bgcolor="black"
! style="color:white;" bgcolor="mediumblue" width="25%"  
====East Division====
*Carleton Ravens
*Concordia Stingers
*Laurentian Voyageurs
*McGill Redmen
*Nipissing Lakers
*Ottawa Gee-Gees
*Queen's Golden Gaels
*RMC Paladins
*UOIT Ridgebacks
*UQTR Patriotes
===Thunderwolves era also see ...===
*Ontario University Athletics
*List of OUA Seasons
*List of University Cup Playoffs
==Commemorations==
===University Cups===
*1973 CIAU Regionals
*2003 University Cup
*2006 University Cup
*2009 University Cup
*2010 University Cup
===Championships===
* ICHA: 1967, 1971
* GPAC: 1973
* OUA: 2006
==Pictures==
===Alternate Logos===
 
 
 
 
 
 
==External links==
*LAKEHEAD NORWESTERS HOCKEY LIVES ON...
*Wall of Fame
*Lakehead 2006 Story on Team History
*Lakehead 2005 Story on Hank Akervall
*Lakehead 2009 Story on 1973 Team
*The Good Old Hockey Game: Thunderwolves Deliver Canadian Experience (2013 story)
Category:Canadian ice hockey teams
Category:Canadian Interuniversity Sport
Category:Western Canada University Hockey
Category:Ontario University Hockey
Category:Thunder Bay Junior Hockey
Category:Independent teams in Thunder Bay Senior Playoffs
Category:International Collegiate Hockey Association teams