Saints add on defence with commitment from Dynamiters captain Mark Strachan

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

Strachan joins the Saints following three seasons split between the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League’s Fernie Ghostriders and Kimberley Dynamiters.

He enjoyed an offensive breakout as a 20-year old in Kimberley, scoring 15 goals and picking up 46 points in 50 regular season games and adding 10 points in 13 playoff contests as the Dynamiters advanced to the Eddie Mountain Division finals. His 56 total points on the season were the third most by a KIJHL defenceman.

The 21-year old wore the ‘C’ for the Dynamiters and was named the club’s Most Valuable Player following the season.

He also spent two years in Fernie, where he contributed 49 points in 88 games and played a key role in the Ghostriders’ silver medal performance at the 2011 Cyclone Taylor Cup.

"Mark is a smart, skilled, puck-moving defenceman coming off an outstanding season on and off the ice in Kimberley," says Saints head coach Jeff Dubois. "His strengths fit in perfectly with the style of game that we will play this season and he adds to what is quickly becoming a very talented roster. He also has experience playing up front, so his versatility is another plus, and I expect that his leadership abilities and work ethic will both be an asset for us moving forward."

Strachan is the third defenceman to commit to the Saints for the 2012/13 season, joining Brett Kipling (Melville, SJHL) and Dylan Smith (Richmond, PIJHL). Selkirk also returns second-year blueliners Justin Sotkowy and Sandro Moser, who combined for 43 points in 48 combined games last season and finished third and fourth respectively in scoring by BCIHL defencemen.

"I’m looking forward to furthering my academic career in the Business program at Selkirk College while having the opportunity to play at a higher level," says Strachan, who describes himself as a playmaker who is comfortable playing at forward as well as on the blueline. "I’d like to accomplish a good balance between academics and hockey working towards a diploma and helping the team win a championship as well as improving my game at both ends of the ice."

"Mark was a true captain who worked extremely hard every practice and was a leader every game during the regular season and playoffs," says Dynamiters head coach and former NHLer Roman Vopat. "He was a guy that we as coaches would love to have on our team every season."

Also committed to the Saints for 2012/13 are forwards Logan Proulx (Cowichan Valley, BCHL), Thomas Hardy (Aldergrove, PIJHL), Jackson Garrett (Comox Valley, VIJHL), Cole Thomson (Kerry Park, VIJHL), Scott Swiston (Creston, KIJHL), Connor McLaughlin (Fernie, KIJHL), Kyle Golz (Grandview, PIJHL), Cody Fidgett (Delta, PIJHL), John Proctor (Delta, PIJHL), Matthew Luongo (Aldergrove, PIJHL) and Brodie Gibbon (Oceanside, VIJHL), as well as goaltender Stephen Wolff (Oceanside, VIJHL).