Selkirk College bolsters blueline with addition of SJHL d-man Brett Kipling

---

The Selkirk College Saints Men’s Hockey program is pleased to announce a commitment from defenceman Brett Kipling (Kerrobert, SK) to attend Selkirk College and compete for the Saints beginning in the 2012/13 B.C. Intercollegiate Hockey League season.

Kipling joins the Saints from the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League’s Melville Millionaires, who he helped to a Sherwood Conference Finals appearance last season. He scored three times and totalled nine points in 34 regular season games and added four points in eight playoff contests for the Millionaires after an early season trade from the Melfort Mustangs. In Melfort, Kipling played 71 games over two seasons, picking up six points and 74 minutes in penalties.

"Brett is a steady two-way defenceman who has proven himself as a key player at the Junior A level," says Saints head coach Jeff Dubois. "He brings three years of experience in the SJHL where he’s played against a high level of competition, so I expect his transition to college hockey to be a smooth one. Brett will have an opportunity to play a big role and log some important minutes for us next season."

"I’m excited to be able to continue my hockey career at Selkirk College," says Kipling, who describes himself as a hard working, gritty two-way defenceman. "I'm looking forward to the opportunity to help Selkirk College chase a league championship, along with experiencing the college lifestyle."

Kipling is the second defenceman to commit to Selkirk College this spring, joining 6-foot-4 blueliner Dylan Smith. Kipling and Smith, who played with the AJHL’s Lloydminster Bobcats and NAHL’s Dawson Creek Rage, combine to bring over 200 games of Junior A experience to the Saints’ blueline. "We are very happy that Brett has decided to continue his hockey career at Selkirk College," says Melville Millionaires head coach Jamie Fiesel.

"Brett was a valuable addition to our club last year as a feisty, hard-nosed shutdown defenceman who can add some offense if needed. I’m confident that he’ll be a great asset to the Saints hockey program. The Melville Millionaires congratulate Brett and wish him all the best."

Kipling is the 11th player to commit to the Saints for the 2012 season.

He joins forwards Thomas Hardy (Aldergrove, PIJHL), Jackson Garrett (Comox, VIJHL), Cole Thomson (Kerry Park, VIJHL), Scott Swiston (Creston, KIJHL), Connor McLaughlin (Fernie, KIJHL), Kyle Golz (Grandview, PIJHL), Matthew Luongo (Aldergrove, PIJHL) and Brodie Gibbon (Oceanside, VIJHL), defencemen Dylan Smith (Richmond, PIJHL) and goaltender Stephen Wolff (Oceanside, VIJHL).