Additions of Henry, Kumar expected to bolster Vikes defence in second half

With a new term in full swing, the University of Victoria has an exciting semester in store for them. After getting a well deserved Christmas break, the Vikes are back at it Saturday evening against the Trinity Western Spartans and they have a New Years Resolution in place for this season: to bring home a BCIHL championship.

Helping the Vikes to meet that challenge will be a pair of new defenceman who have joined the team for the current semester. Blueliners Noah Henry and Shane Kumar are expected to provide a boost to UVic's defensive game in the coming weeks.

Henry made the move to the UVic's Vancouver Island campus following an impressive BCHL career with the Powell River Kings that led to an NCAA Division I scholarship to Union College. Henry played 87 games over three seasons at Union before his recent transfer to UVic, where he will complete a degree in Environmental Studies.

“I’m excited to take classes in a field of study that’s completely new to me and to get to know the guys on the team,” says Henry, who is already good friends with current Vikes forward Landen Matechuk.

Also new to the UVic blueline is Shane Kumar, who joins on following four seasons with the North Vancouver Wolf Pack and North Delta Devils of the Pacific Junior Hockey League. As a 20-year old last season with the Wolf Pack, Kumar put up a career high 33 points in 44 regular season games.

Kumar plans on studying Business at UVic while competing for a BCIHL championship to match the one he earned in North Vancouver in 2015.

“I was completely lost my first couple of days at school but the guys on the team have been really helpful taking time out of their days to show me where my classes, the library, and gym were located,” says Kumar, who promises to bring an all-in style to the Vikes. “I give it my all every game and do whatever is asked of me night in and night out. If you aren’t going all the way, why go at all?”

Henry and Kumar join a Vikes defence group that already includes high-scoring MJHL veteran Kyle Bird as well as veteran Henry Hart. With a strong core in place, expectations are high for the team to improve on their current fourth place standing and compete for the university's first BCIHL title since 2011.