Missouri Signs Wakita
INDEPENDENCE, Missouri - Missouri Mavericks' President and General Manager Brent Thiessen announced Thursday the Central Hockey League (CHL) club has signed former Union defenseman Mike Wakita for the 2011-12 season.
Wakita, 25 (5/28/85), enters his sophomore season with the Mavericks. The 6-foot-2, 215-pound defenseman played in 59 games with the Mavericks last season and had 13 points (2-11=13) and 95 penalty minutes.
Prior to joining the Mavericks, the native of Campbell River, British Columbia had a four-year career at Union with three goals and eight assists in 108 games to go along with 150 penalty minutes. Wakita was also an ECACHL All-Academic selection for his freshman and sophomore seasons.
Prior to playing at Union, he played in 171 games for the Powell River Kings of the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) and recorded 61 points (11-5061) and 472 penalty minutes in 172 games played. As captain for the River Kings during the 2005-06 season, Wakita was named the Coastal Conference Defenseman of the Year and First Team All-Star with 28 points (8-20=28) and 180 penalty minutes in 60 games.
"Wakita brings us toughness on the blueline, but he is another player we didn't get to see in the playoffs," added Thiessen. "We believe he will help anchor the blueline this season."
