The Simon Fraser University Men’s Ice Hockey program is pleased to announce a commitment from defenceman Mike Ball (Surrey, B.C.) to attend SFU and join the team for the 2012/13 British Columbia Intercollegiate Hockey League season.
Ball, who played four seasons with the PIJHL’s Richmond Sockeyes, has been on SFU’s radar for some time. While he put up 29 points in 42 games during his final season with Richmond, Ball’s playoff numbers are even more impressive. With 9 points in 11 games during the 2012 playoffs and an average over 0.5 points per game over his four PIJHL seasons, Ball was an attractive prospect for SFU.
"Mike showed steady improvement every season with Richmond, and he’s definitely a guy we think can continue to improve and contribute to our blueline," says SFU Head Coach Mark Coletta of the 6’2” 230 lb defenceman. "He has such a great skill set for a big guy, he’s exactly what you want in a defenceman."
"Giving a good local kid a chance to get a great education at home while playing hockey is extremely important and rewarding to us.”
Mike echoes the enthusiasm in having a chance to play for SFU.
"Obviously it’s a very exciting opportunity for me. Getting the chance to play for a team that’s had so much success in the past is something I look forward to. The SFU Hockey program has progressed so much in the past few years and seeing how everyone aspires to continue that trend it’s not hard to want to be a part of that."
Ball is SFU’s fourth commitment for the 2012/13 season. Additional player announcements will be made in the coming weeks.
VICTORIA
SIMON FRASER
OKANAGAN
LOGAN LAKE
VANCOUVER ISLAN.
