SFU adds former WHL/CIS forward Van Lare for 2010/11 BCIHL season

The Simon Fraser University’s Men’s Ice Hockey program is pleased to announce a commitment from forward Ben Van Lare to attend SFU and join the team for the 2010/11 British Columbia Intercollegiate Hockey League season.

Van Lare joins SFU from Dalhousie University of Canadian Interuniversity Sport, where he played 46 games over two seasons with the Tigers. Prior to beginning his university career, the 22-year old spent three seasons in the Western Hockey League with the Saskatoon Blades and Prince Albert Raiders, scoring eight goals and adding one assist in 98 games played.

He then joined the Des Moines Buccaneers of the United States Hockey League, where he scored 21 goals and totalled 45 points in 106 games.

"Ben brings a fast, physical presence to our team and should contribute immediately in all three zones," SFU general manager Jeff Dubois says. "The experience he gained playing in two of North America’s premier junior hockey leagues and against high-calibre competition in the CIS should benefit us greatly as we compete for a second consecutive BCIHL championship."

Van Lare, who hails from Richardson, Texas, becomes the first American-born player to compete at SFU. His future plans include a desire to pursue a professional hockey career, and he has been a past invite to the Dallas Stars prospect development camp. Kyle Okposo and Trevor Lewis, who were Van Lare’s former linemates in Des Moines, have each begun their NHL careers with the New York Islanders and Los Angeles Kings respectively.

"I’m very excited to be coming to SFU this upcoming year," says Van Lare. "I’ve been given a great opportunity to continue my schooling and get a degree in one of the most beautiful cities in the world. SFU has a winning tradition and I look to competing and being at my best each day on and off the ice as we work towards another championship."

Van Lare will join SFU for the team’s main training camp, which begins August 29th at the Burnaby Lake Arena. The team plays its first exhibition game on Friday, September 3rd when they visit the BCHL’s Coquitlam Express.