KIJHL all-time leading scorer Jesse Collins commits to Eastern Washington

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Eastern Washington University is pleased to announce a playing commitment from forward Jesse Collins (Nine Mile Falls, WA) for the 2015/16 British Columbia Intercollegiate Hockey League season.

Collins stands 6-feet, 180 lbs and comes to EWU after spending the fall semester at Weber State University competing in the ACHA Division II.

Prior to his stay at Weber State Collins spent most of his junior hockey career with the Spokane Braves and Creston Valley Thunder Cats of the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League.

The numbers Collins amassed playing in the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League show he is a proven point producer that should be able to help the Eagles immediately. During his career split between Spokane and Creston Collins posted 319 points in 220 regular season games and is currently the KIJHL's all-time leading scorer.

“We're excited to add Jesse to our lineup," says Eagles Associate Coach Pat Hanlon. "His ability to score and play with pace are areas we have been looking to improve. We had hoped to sign Jesse for last season but we will take the second chance we got and run with it."

The signing also helps the Eagles staff with a goal of making EWU the premier destination for the state of Washington's hockey talent.

"We know we will lose some players to NCAA Division I hockey and we are okay with that, but it’s our goal to keep as much of the other talent at home in the state," says Eagles GM Bill Shaw. "When you look at the university offerings, hockey facility, and competition the players get to face in the BCIHL I would put that up against any other level of college hockey outside of NCAA D1."

"We are in a great position to build here when you look at what s provided along with the area talent. We are surrounded by states that also only offer club hockey and we have made inroads in places like Montana, Alaska, and California so if we can keep much more of the home grown talent we should be able to turn this program into a championship contender shortly.”

The addition of Collins makes him the Eagles 4th official commitment, joining forwards Aaron Dunlap and Colton St. John, plus blueliner Kyle Ruchas.

The Eagles have a few other offers out to players but are awaiting acceptance by the Admissions Department before announcing those additions.