Two-time RBC Cup finalist Kenton Valliant commits to SFU

The Simon Fraser University’s Men’s Ice Hockey program is pleased to announce a commitment from defenceman Kenton Valliant (Sudbury, ON) to attend SFU and join the team for the 2011/12 British Columbia Intercollegiate Hockey League season.

Valliant recently completed his third and final season of Junior A hockey with the Portage Terriers of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League, who he helped to a Turnbull Cup victory as League Champions. The Terries then captured the Anavet Cup and represented Western Canada at the 2011 RBC Cup, Canada’s National Junior A Championship.

The 20-year old is no stranger to winning teams, as he helped the Sudbury Capital Nickel Wolves capture the Telus Cup as National Midget AAA Champions at in 2008. He then joined the SJHL’s Humboldt Broncos and returned to the national stage with an RBC Cup appearance as a rookie in 2009. Valliant played a total of 127 games over nearly three seasons with the Broncos before a midseason trade brought him to Portage, where he was named the Terriers’ 2011 Playoff Most Valuable Player.

“Kenton is a proven shut-down defenceman who excels at stopping the opposition’s top players,” says SFU general manager Jeff Dubois. “He brings a great deal of experience from winning programs, and it’s no coincidence that he competed in three National Championships with three different teams over the last four seasons. I expect he’ll settle into a similar role at SFU and be a key piece on defence moving forward.”

Valliant’s career Junior A numbers include 208 overall games played in Humboldt and Portage, including 53 in league playoffs and regional and national championships.

“SFU is a university that’s very well recognized academically, and when you pair that with the success of the hockey program and the location of the school it was the option that made the most sense for my future,” says Valliant. “I think I’ll be able to come in and be a stable and reliable presence on defence and bring winning experience, dedication and hard work to the rink every day. As a team, I want to keep the winning tradition going at SFU and help the team to a three-peat in the BCIHL this season.”

Valliant adds to a trio of fellow defencemen already committed to SFU for the 2011/12 season, including Tyler Mah (Flin Flon/SJHL), Derek Henderson (Grand Prairie/AJHL) and Taylor Swaffield (Trail/BCHL).