Selkirk College boosts leadership with additions of McCartney and Sharp

A pair of recruits who will suit up for the Selkirk College Saints in the upcoming season share the common goals of bringing back the B.C. Intercollegiate Hockey League title back to the West Kootenays and striving for excellence in the Business Administration Program.

Brayden McCartney and Parker Sharp join the recruiting class for the upcoming 2017/18 season where the team will look to return to its championship ways on the ice.

“I chose Selkirk College because it’s not in a big city, I prefer a smaller community,” says McCartney, who was raised in Campbell River. “I also like to enjoy the outdoors and the area has a lot to offer. Selkirk College is known to have a very successful hockey program and the educational opportunities will help me pursue my career path.”

McCartney finished his junior hockey career with the Campbell River Storm of the Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League and before that was the captain of the Comox Valley Glacier Kings. Priding himself on being a shutdown defenceman, McCartney will be looked upon to fill holes on the Saints’ blueline left by players who graduated at the end of the 2016-2017 season.

“Brayden is a strong, tough stay-at- home defenceman who loves to compete and make things difficult for his opponent,” says Saints’ head coach Brent Heaven. “Brayden makes a great first pass and has a very strong team-first mentality, he should bring some much needed edge to our defensive group.”

Sharp grew up in Grande Prairie, Alberta and played last season with Dakota College at Bottineau (North Dakota) in the National Junior College Athletic Association where he helped the Lumberjacks to a national championship.

“Selkirk College has a history of winning and standard of excellence that is unmatched in my opinion,” says the 5’11” centre. “What I will bring to the Saints is a heavy two-way game, excellent work ethic, constructive attitude, scoring ability and most importantly the ability to be a great teammate.”

Sharp will help bolster a Saints’ offence that lost two of the best point producers in the team’s history when Ryan Edwards and Dallas Calvin graduated this past spring.

“Parker is a skilled forward with good speed and a knack for the net,” says Heaven. “He is transferring from the NJCAA so he has had the opportunity to play college hockey at a high level. He should bring strong leadership, as well as drive and desire to win.”

Both McCartney and Sharp will be classmates in the Business Administration Program that is based on the Castlegar Campus.

The BCIHL season gets underway in September when classes resume for the 2017-2018 academic year.