Grand Forks goaltender Dom Stadnyk commits to Simon Fraser University

---

The Simon Fraser University Men’s Hockey team is pleased to announce its fourth student athlete commitment for the 2014-15 season. Joining SFU is goaltender Dominic Stadnyk of North Vancouver.

The 21-year-old played with the Grand Forks Border Bruins of the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League in 2013-14.

"We think Dom will be a solid goalie in the BCIHL, he's seen first hand what it takes to play in our league and his years in Grand Forks will serve him well," said SFU Head Coach Mark Coletta. "We really like Dom’s commitment level. With us also recruiting Jordan Liem, Dom knows he has to battle for our starting goaltending position and he's prepared to do so."

Of Grand Forks sixteen wins in 2013-14, Stadnyk claimed victory in 11 of them, finishing with an 11-13-1 record, a 4.13 goals-against-average and a .902 save percentage in 27 games. His numbers from last season are the best posted by a Grand Forks goaltender in more than nine seasons.

In 2012-13, Stadnyk started the season with Beaver Valley after moving up from the North Vancouver Minor Hockey Association. He played three games with the NiteHawks before joining Grand Forks and assuming the Border Bruins number one goaltending job.

The highlight of Stadnyk's season was an astounding 58 saves in a 3-0 road win over Beaver Valley in November 2012. He was also an affiliate goaltender with the Pacific Junior Hockey League’s Grandview Steelers in 2011-12.

For his part, Stadnyk is eagerly anticipating joining a team satisfied with no less than a championship.

"I'm really excited to further my education at a great school like SFU while playing for a team that is always a top contender for the BCIHL title," exclaimed Stadnyk, who stands 6’1” and 200 lbs. "In my first year at SFU school-wise, I look forward to completing my first year of classes with an eye on reaching my future goals. As for being on the ice, I can't wait to play for a competitive team and contributing to winning a championship for the Clan."

After having three goaltenders with close to 60 career BCIHL wins between them on the roster in 2013-14 in Graeme Gordon, Andrew Parent and Evan Kurylo, Coletta isn’t worried about starting this season with two goaltenders without collegiate hockey experience.

"We knew going into the offseason that we would have to recruit two or three goalies and we’re going into 2014-15 with rookies between the pipes," said Coletta. "That said, we feel that (Jordan) Liem and Stadnyk are more than capable of carrying the load."

Stadnyk considers himself a goaltender who battles for every puck and doesn’t overcommit to shots headed his way.

"For someone who’s never seen me play, I'd say I am always in good position and have excellent rebound control. I'm also pretty strong at puck handling and most importantly, I always work hard at getting better overall," Stadnyk added.

Stadnyk joins fellow goaltender Jordan Liem, defenseman Mathew Berry-Lamontagna and forward Matthew Luongo as four recruits thus far in what is expected to be a very strong recruiting class for the 2014-15 season for SFU.