Nelson Leafs forward Linden Horswill commits to University of Victoria

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The University of Victoria Men's Hockey program is pleased to announce a playing commitment from forward Linden Horswill (Nelson, B.C.) to attend UVIC and compete for the Vikes beginning in the 2014/15 B.C. Intercollegiate Hockey League season.

Horswill is currently in his third season of junior hockey with the Nelson Jr. Maple Leafs of the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League. He has scored 18 goals and added 29 assists this season in 40 regular season games, good for fifth in team scoring.

Last season, Linden was named the Leafs’ Most Valuable Player following a 43-point campaign. Over his three-year career in Nelson, Horswill has scored 39 goals and totalled 115 points in 139 games. He also suited up in four games with the BCHL’s Trail Smoke Eaters to begin the 2013/14 season.

"Linden will be a good addition to the Vikes Hockey team," says UVic head coach Harry Schamhart. "He has demonstrated that he can put up points and play a solid two-way game. We’re losing a few players to graduation at the end of the season and Linden has all the tools to play a key role in our success."

Horswill comes from a strong hockey family. His Father Randy played Junior A for the Esquimalt Buccaneers (BCHL), Revelstoke Grizzlies (BCHL) and with the Leafs. His mother Kim is the youngest daughter of the Keller family. Her father Ralph ‘Wendy’ Keller played and coached professional hockey from 1952 until 1977.

Kim’s three brothers – Pat, Lee, and Dean – all played junior and professional hockey. Linden’s cousin Justin Keller played for the Kelowna Rockets and was drafted by the Tampa Bay Lightning, and now plays professionally for the Vienna Capitals in Austria.

"I'm very excited to attend the University of Victoria to continue my academic career while playing for the Vikes," says Horswill, who will join former Leafs teammate Kevin Bow on next year’s team. "UVic has a strong academic reputation and a hockey program with a winning history in the BCIHL."

Before he joins the Vikes, Horswill still has an important role to play on a Nelson squad that is near the top of the KIJHL standings and is set to host the Cyclone Taylor Cup from April 10th through 13th.

"Linden is an honest, offensively-skilled forward who plays in both ends of the rink," says Leafs head coach Frank Maida. "He's a quiet leader who gives 100% all the time and leads by example."

The Vikes are on the road this weekend playing Thompson Rivers University on Friday in Kamloops and Simon Fraser University on Saturday in Burnaby. Both games can be viewed live on www.FastHockey.com.