AJHL forward Waddington commits to SFU for 2015/16 from Drayton Valley

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Simon Fraser University is pleased to announce its third student athlete commitment for the 2015/16 season. Joining SFU this September is forward Jamie Waddington of Coquitlam, B.C. The 20-year-old played more than 160 games of Junior A hockey with Cowichan Valley of the BCHL and Drayton Valley of the AJHL.

“Jamie is a highly skilled player that will bring some scoring to our offense game. He has proven himself at ‎the Jr. A level, and we expect him to come right in and contribute right away,” said SFU head coach Mark Coletta.

Waddington, who is listed at 6′ and 190 lbs., finished third on the Drayton Valley Thunder in scoring during the 2014/15 season with 17 goals and 15 assists for 32 points in 59 games.

Speaking on what to expect from him on the ice, Waddington said: “I play an offensive-minded game. I have a fairly high skill set, and I'm good at setting up teammates and reading the ice well. I see myself as a playmaker, but I am also very capable of putting the puck into the back of the net."

A graduate of Vancouver NE Chiefs Major Midget program, Waddington’s first full season of Junior A hockey was in 2012/13 with the Cowichan Valley Capitals, where he finished his rookie season with 8 goals and 9 assists in 51 games as an 18-year-old.

He made the move from the BCHL to the AJHL and suited up the following two seasons for the Drayton Valley Thunder. While with the Thunder, he put up 28 goals and 26 assists for 54 points in 104 regular season games.

"My personal goals for the upcoming season are to work hard, improve where I need to, and be the best I can be everyday—both on and off the ice. Getting in the lineup every game and doing what I do best to help the team win are my ultimate goals,” said Waddington.

Last season, SFU scored only 81 goals, which was their lowest total in 8 seasons. Waddington is the first step in bringing that total back up.

“We knew we had to bring in some players with offensive upside. Jamie will help us get back on track for the upcoming season,” Coletta said.

Waddington joins Robson Cramer and Darnel St. Pierre as the third recruit thus far in what is expected to be a very strong recruiting class for the 2015-16 season for SFU.