Simon Fraser University is pleased to announce its seventh student athlete commitment for the 2014-15 season. Joining SFU is forward Adam Callegari of Langley.
The 21-year-old is a veteran of 100 Pacific Junior Hockey League games and spent the 2013-14 season with the Aldergrove Kodiaks, finishing second in league scoring.
Along with goaltender Jordan Liem and defenseman Robby Jang, Callegari is the third player from last season's Kodiaks roster to commit to SFU for the upcoming season.
"Adam is one of the best players graduating from the PJHL and we are thrilled to have him on board," said SFU Head Coach Mark Coletta. "He's quick and can put the puck in the net. And having Adam join two of his teammates from Aldergrove is a unique situation and something we feel is very special."
Callegari, who is listed at 6-feet and 170 pounds, had 26 goals and 44 assists for 70 points in just 38 games in 2013-14. His six game winning goals ranked second in the league. He added six goals and seven assists in 16 playoff games with the Kodiaks, who won the PJHL championship and advanced to the BC Provincial Junior B Championship tournament.
"SFU is one of BC's premier schools and I look forward to taking my education to a higher level," said Callegari.
The graduate of the Langley Minor Hockey Association started his junior hockey career in 2012-13 with Mission of the PJHL before being traded to Aldergrove and finishing the season with 16 goals and 20 assists in 35 games.
As an 18-year-old in 2011-12, Callegari made an immediate impact, scoring eight goals and 14 assists in 24 games. He was also solid in the playoffs, notching 12 goals and 10 assists in 27 career games.
"We think Adam has the potential to be a very good player at our level. He definitely has all the tools to do so," added Coletta. "When we recruit from teams that has success like Aldergrove, we know we're getting winners and that's very important as we try to regain top spot in the BCIHL."
With an average of close to 1.5 points-per-game at the Junior B level, Callegari is expected to provide some offense to the SFU line-up this season.
"I'm a fast two-way centre who is responsible with and without the puck. I'd say I'm more of a pass-first player and playmaker," explained Callegari.
"I’m hoping to finish my first year with a good GPA and win a BCIHL championship."
Callegari joins goaltenders Jordan Liem and Dominic Stadnyk, defenseman Mathew Berry-Lamontagna and Robby Jang, and forwards Tyler Basham and Matthew Luongo as seven recruits thus far in what is expected to be a very strong recruiting class for the 2014-15 season for SFU.
SFU Men's Hockey was re-established in 2004 and competes in the British Columbia Intercollegiate Hockey League (BCIHL). The program focuses on competition, academics, and community service as its core values.
Last year, SFU placed second in BCIHL standings while also earning strong results in exhibition games against NCAA Division 1, CIS, and ACAC opponents. For more information about the SFU Hockey program please visitwww.sfuhockey.com