Canucks & UND alum Garry Valk to drop puck at 2014 Great Northwest Showcase

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Former Vancouver Canuck and University of North Dakota Alumni Garry Valk will be on hand for a ceremonial puck drop as Simon Fraser University hosts UND on January 4th as part of the second annual Great Northwest Showcase.

Valk, a 14-year NHL veteran turned Rogers Sportsnet Analyst, played three seasons for UND before making his debut with the Canucks.

"I can't believe my Alma Mater UND is finally coming to town," says Valk. "What a great opportunity to see one of the best programs in all of Division 1 NCAA. The hockey is hard hitting and lightning fast. Can't wait."

The two teams are set to face off at 7:00 PM on Saturday, January 4th at the Bill Copeland Sports Centre in Burnaby, B.C.

SFU is part of the six-team British Columbia Intercollegiate Hockey League (BCIHL) and competes in exhibition only against teams from other leagues such as the NCAA.

The Clan are still looking for their first win against an NCAA Division 1 opponent, but had a competitive exhibition game against Sacred Heart University in Connecticut earlier this year, falling 3-0.

It won’t get any easier, as UND are seven-time NCAA Division 1 champions, and ice a roster with 15 NHL draft picks including St. Louis Blues first round pick Jordan Schmaltz. Former Surrey Eagle (BCHL) Adam Tambellini will also be returning to Vancouver as a member of UND.

UND joins Princeton University, the University of British Columbia, and SFU in Burnaby for the 2014 Great Northwest Showcase.

Tickets are now on sale at www.greatnorthwestshowcase.com.