The Lakehead University Thunderwolves have announced that Ed McNeill of the Summerside Western Capitals has committed to their program.
The 20-year-old from Summerside, P.E.I. was drafted in the 2nd Round, 22nd overall, by the Western Capitals in the 2018 MHL Entry Draft. He played five seasons with Summerside, collecting 31 goals and 115 assists in 166 games in the MHL. McNeill is a two-time Eastlink North All-Star (2021-22, 2022-23) and was named MHL Defenseman of the Year in 2022-23.
McNeill joined Summerside in the 2018-19 season and posted one goal and two assists in eleven games. He played all 52 regular season games in 2019-20, with five goals and 21 assists. The following season, McNeill had two goals and five assists in fourteen games. He also tallied two assists in five games during the Canadian Tire Cup Playoff Round Robin that season. In 2021-22, McNeill had seven goals and 26 assists in 37 games, followed by thirteen assists in fourteen playoff games as Summerside captured the MHL title. He was named the MHL’s Top Defenseman in two months, an Honourable Mention once, and an Eastlink North Player of the Week twice.
McNeill continued that trend in 2022-23, more than doubling his career point total with sixteen goals and 61 assists to finish seventh in league scoring. McNeill was named Top Defensemen in September and December, with an Honourable Mention in January. He was named to the Eastlink North Team of the Week nine times.
From a Lakehead University release:
“Ed had a record year for his team, creating offense at a very high level. He has an outstanding ability to make plays all over the ice and understands how to put himself into scoring positions. His intelligence will allow him to step into our program and make an immediate impact.” – Head Coach Andrew Wilkins.
McNeill is thrilled to represent the Blue & Gold and added “I am extremely excited and honoured to have the opportunity to play U Sport hockey for the Thunderwolves and play for Andrew as I have heard nothing but great things about the program, the fan base and him as a coach. I can’t wait to play in front of a packed Fort William Gardens.
The MHL congratulates McNeill on his post-secondary commitment.