Saint Ignatius has some large skates to fill: talented forward Tiernan Ryan, who finished third in the SHL last season with 23 goals and 29 assists in 35 SHL games, moved on and is skating this season for the U18 Chicago Mission.

Ryan leaves the Wolfpack as the club’s all-time leading goal-scorer and point producer. “We wish him the best of luck this year,” said Ignatius head coach Spencer Montgomery.

            The Wolfpack are primed to replace Ryan and other key losses, including captain Charlie Reif, who anchored their defensive core. Colum Chinlund and Eghan Ryan also will be missed, as well as four-year goaltender Ethan Laughlin.

            “We are a strong senior-led group with a high offensive upside. We will look to pressure teams with speed and tenacity,” said Montgomery, 36, who lives in Chicago and is in his 13th season coaching, his ninth at Ignatius. He is in his third season as the head coach.

            “Offensively, one word (comes to mind): deep. We have four capable lines and all know how to score. (Our) powerplay should be deadly.”

            Defensively, the Wolfpack will be led by seniors Hutch Dunlay, Simon Moynihan, and Jimmy Doherty – a group that Montgomery noted is, “physical and jump into the rush as much as possible.”

            Brody Netzky and Nick Nocera are going to be a dynamic duo in net for Ignatius. Montgomery said they are “large, mobile goaltenders who compete hard.”

            The Wolfpack’s relentless forecheck and goaltending will be a strength, without question.

Key newcomers are Teddy Burke (D), Brady Vacek (F), Dan O’Connor (F) and Nocera.

“We call it, The Three C’s: care, character and compete. If we buy in, on and off the ice, we are going to have success,” Montgomery said. “The SHL is an incredibly competitive league with no easy nights. We will look to be a team no one wants to face.

“This is a determined, hungry group that is looking to make a big-time splash.”

 Breakout Player: Keep an eye on Max Meyer. “His size and shot simply put him in another category. I am guessing he will be among the league leaders. Jackson Steinlauf is another dynamic player who does it the opposite way of Max. He is going to be a problem for opposing defenses.”

Honoring: The team will have a patch on their uniforms, CR, honoring the late Ceannich Ryan. “We lost a dear friend and parent in the program,” Montgomery said.