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Tim Thurnau screens the goalie at Elmira. Thurnau will look to bring his net front presence to the Bobcats the season. (PROVIDED by Tim Thurnau)

Hockey: Forward Tim Thurnau comes to Ohio, but not as a stranger

When the Ohio Bobcats take the ice on Sept. 15 for their intra-squad scrimmage, Tim Thurnau will be among the new players to grace the green and white for the first time.

Though new to the team, Thurnau isn’t the new kid on the block. He played with another first-time Bobcat in Kyle Craddick and has already established relationships with more than a few guys on the team.

Thurnau doesn’t have to worry about making a first impression. With more than 15 years of hockey experience tucked under his belt, Thurnau will tack on a few more years in Athens.

A West Chester native, Thurnau came up through the Columbus Blue Jackets U18 team in the Tier 1 Hockey League. In his three seasons in the Blue Jackets organization, Thurnau amassed a total of 24 goals and 30 assists. That level of play led to a promotion to the Walpole Express of the Eastern Hockey League.

As his development as a player began to take shape, he played against some of the most talented players in North America. Eventually, Thurnau landed playing for the Soaring Eagles of Elmira College. Located in Elmira, New York, the Soaring Eagles play in the Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference.

He appeared in just 13 games with only one point to show for it, Thurnau knew he could do more. Pondering his options of the places to go, there was place that just seemed like the best of both worlds: Ohio University.

“I chose Ohio because it’s close to home and much more affordable for me than my previous college,” Thurnau said. “On top of that knowing, a bunch of the guys on the team that made that last run for the championship did help me make my decision to come to Ohio.”

As a forward, Thurnau brings all the tools necessary to help put Ohio in a position to win. He totaled 106 points in the span of six recorded years worth of statistics and will be yet another talented offensive weapon that has made its way to Athens.

While a clear case has been made on Thurnau’s offensive production, what makes Thurnau a necessity for the Bobcats is his transition game from offense to defense.

“I play a physical two-way game and go to the dirty areas,” he said.

The “dirty areas” on the ice are found in front of the net where play becomes extremely physical. To have a player with that mentality will give Ohio an extra boost and could potentially give Thurnau more ice time.

No matter if Thurnau blossoms into a star or becomes just a role player, he’s all in for Ohio.

“I cannot wait to be part of the hockey tradition at Ohio University,” he said.

@mparker_5

mp109115@ohio.edu

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