Tyler Basham commits to Simon Fraser from NAHL's Johnstown Tomahawks

---

The Simon Fraser University is pleased to announce its fifth student athlete commitment for the 2014-15 season. Joining SFU is forward Tyler Basham of Surrey.

The 21-year-old played with the Johnstown Tomahawks of the Junior A Tier II North American Hockey League in 2013-14.

"Tyler is a very determined individual and competitor. He may be a bit on the smaller side, but he definitely makes up for it in grit," said SFU Head Coach Mark Coletta. "Tyler is a great skater and an excellent addition for us up front."

Basham, who is listed at 5-foot-10 and 170 lbs, had six goals and 11 assists in 56 games with the Tomahawks last season.

"I'm excited about attending SFU because I've heard a lot of great things about the school and the hockey program," expressed Basham. "After being away for several years, I'm looking forward to being back home and going to a great school."

The Cloverdale Minor Hockey product played two seasons with the El Paso Rhinos of the Junior A Western States Hockey League, averaging just over a point-per-game. He notched 44 goals, 40 assists and 119 penalty minutes in 83 games from 2011-13. Basham was especially deadly on the penalty kill, finishing tied for top spot in the WSHL with six shorthanded goals scored in 2012-13.

Prior to joining the Rhinos, he made his junior hockey debut in 2010-11 with the Pacific Junior Hockey League's Port Moody Black Panthers and tallied 10 goals and 12 assists in 42 games as a 17-year-old.

"When we looked at recruiting Tyler, he made it very clear that SFU, both academically and athletically, is a good fit for him and his family," added Coletta. "Knowing we're getting a quality person is something we value at SFU, and Tyler fits the bill exactly. It's a very important factor for us."

Basham sees himself fitting in well on the SFU roster.

"I'm a diverse, high energy player who's not afraid to lay the body and when given the opportunity, can put the puck in the net," Basham continued. "In addition, I look forward to getting back into student life and winning a BCIHL championship with SFU."

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