Victoria Cougars forward Connor Stephens commits to Selkirk College

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The Selkirk College Saints Men’s Hockey program is pleased to announce a commitment from forward Connor Stephens (Victoria, B.C.) to attend Selkirk College and compete for the Saints beginning in the 2012/13 B.C. Intercollegiate Hockey League season.

Stephens joins the Saints from the Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League’s Victoria Cougars, who he helped to a league championship and a runner-up finish at the Cyclone Taylor Cup during the 2011/12 season. The 6-foot winger scored 10 goals and totalled 30 points in 36 regular season games before adding seven points in nine playoff contests.

The 20-year old also spent three seasons with the VIJHL’s Saanich Braves, scoring 31 goals and adding 49 assists in 128 games. He suited up as an AP with the BCHL’s Burnaby Express as an 18-year old and spent 2009/10 with the Atlantic Junior Hockey League’s Portland Jr. Pirates, picking up 7 points in 23 games.

"Connor is a talented forward who skates well and brings championship experience from his 20-year old season with a very good organization in Victoria," says Saints head coach Jeff Dubois. "His skill level and work ethic make him a versatile addition who can play multiple roles and slot in a few different spots in our line-up. His commitment adds to what will be a heated competition up front for games and icetime."

Stephens is the fifth player to commit to the Saints from Vancouver Island this offseason, joining fellow forwards Jackson Garrett, Cole Thomson and Brodie Gibbon and goaltender Stephen Wolff.

"I’m excited for the opportunity to attend Selkirk College and play with the Saints as I take the next steps with my education," says Stephens, who describes himself as a playmaker whose strengths include hockey sense and passing ability. "I’m looking forward to getting started with the next stage in my life and being a part of a winning program in Castlegar."

Also committed to Selkirk College for the fall are forwards Logan Proulx (Cowichan Valley, BCHL), Thomas Hardy (Aldergrove, PIJHL), Stephen Saretsky (Wellington, OJHL), Scott Swiston (Creston, KIJHL), Connor McLaughlin (Fernie, KIJHL), Cody Fidgett (Delta, PIJHL), John Proctor (Delta, PIJHL), Matthew Luongo (Aldergrove, PIJHL) and Jared Seutter (Chase, KIJHL), defencemen Brett Kipling (Melville, MJHL), Dylan Smith (Richmond, PIJHL), Lucas Hildebrand (Revelstoke, KIJHL), Mark Strachan (Kimberley, KIJHL) and goaltender Alex Sirard (Pilot Butte, PJHL).