Grant Toulmin, wearing a camouflage jersey during the February 18th Military Appreciation Day game, will be heading to Germany along with teammate Conor O'Donnell. PHOTO BY CHRIS DAWSON.
A pair of Nipissing Lakers stars will be taking their talents to Germany.
The Laker forwards will join the Heilbronner Falken (Falcons) in the DEL 2 Germany pro hockey league.
The duo put up some solid numbers in their final season of OUA hockey. The 6'1", 195 pound O'Donnell scored 13 goals and added 31 assists for 44 points in 28 games with the Lakers last season.
Meantime, Grant Toulmin broke out with 16 goals along with 22 assists totaling 38 points in 28 games last season.
Those numbers impressed the German DEL 2 team.
"That was one reason why we are committed to the duo," said Heilbronner Falken coach Igor Pavlov.
"Both are in the best hockey age and have assumed responsibility in their club. They stood out on the special teams. They will also enhance the physical component here."
The 24-year-old was the top scorer on team and the third top scorer in the OUA last year. O'Donnell was also named to the OUA Second All-Star team the past two seasons.
"I had decided to go to Europe and my Augsburg players' agent and I agreed that Germany would be the best choice for me," said O'Donnell.
"The Falcons want to forget the past season and I will do my part. I hope that I can seamlessly transition here, where I left off with the Lakers. I am happy to take the role of playmaker, who is also reliable in the defensive zone. A stable defense is always the best condition for a powerful offensive game."
Spence to Sweden
The Lakers join their former teammate Dan Spence overseas in Europe this fall
The 2012-13 OUA All-Star goaltender played with Jokipojat in Finnish 2nd Division last year and has moved on this off-season to Sweden where he joins Asploven of the Allsvenskan pro league.
