Nelson forward Carsen Willans commits to University of Victoria for 2014/15

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

Willans played his minor hockey in Nelson, B.C., with his career highlighted by co-captaining a provincial championship winner in his second season of Bantam. In Midget, Carsen played a two-year stint with the BC Major Midget League's KootenaIce before graduating onto a three-year junior career with the Nelson Leafs.

The 20-year old scored 20 goals and totaled 61 points this season, finishing out the year as Nelson's fourth leading scorer. His career numbers in the KIJHL include 150 points scored in 157 games, and at the end of the 2011/12 season he received the Leafs' Hockey and Education award after graduating from L.V. Rogers Secondary.

Willans has now decided to end his junior career after this season and pursue an Engineering degree at the University of Victoria while playing hockey for the Vikes.

"Carsen is a proven offensive player who will be a good addition to the Vikes hockey team," says UVic head coach Harry Schamhart, who hopes that Willans and fellow recruit/Leafs teammate Linden Horswill will continue their chemistry in the BCIHL.

Willans led the Leafs in points during the 2014 playoffs with 5 goals and 12 assists in 12 games before a second round loss to the Beaver Valley Nighthawks. The Leafs season is not yet done, however, as they are set to host the Cyclone Taylor Cup from April 10th through April 13th.

"Carsen is a player that works hard in practice and every game," says Nelson head coach Frank Maida. "He's a player that players hate to play against and he hates to lose a battle in the corner or in front of the net. Carsen has been a consistent top player for the last three years, he can play in all situations and he'll be an asset to the Vikes."

The Vikes will now have three former Nelson Leafs on the their 2013/14 roster, as Willans and Horswill will join second-year defenceman Kevin Bow, who played for the Leafs last season.

The Vikes are hosting a Spring Camp on April 25, 26, and 27 for prospective players.