The Selkirk College Saints Men’s Hockey program is pleased to announce a commitment from defenceman Lucas Hildebrand (Vancouver, B.C.) to attend Selkirk College and compete for the Saints beginning in the 2012/13 B.C. Intercollegiate Hockey League season.
Hildebrand joins the Saints following three seasons in the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League, which he split between the Grand Forks Border Bruins and the Revelstoke Grizzlies. He was Revelstoke’s highest scoring defenceman during the 2011/12 season with seven goals and 30 assists in 49 games, helping the Grizzlies to a 37-11-0-4 record and a first place finish in the Okanagan/Shuswap Conference.
He was honoured with the Grizzlies’ Best Defenceman award at the conclusion of the season.
“Lucas is a player we’ve been focused on for a while now and I’m very excited that he’s made the decision to pursue his education at Selkirk College,” says Saints head coach Jeff Dubois. “He comes to us on a very good recommendation from his coach in Revelstoke and with Vernon of the BCHL, where he played some games as a 20-year old last season.”
At 6-foot-4 and 200-pounds, Hildebrand brings size and a big shot to the Saints’ blueline.
“I’m excited to come to Selkirk for the opportunity to meet new people, play a high level of hockey and start a new chapter in my life,” says Hildebrand, who describes himself as a stay-at-home defenceman with a whatever-it-takes attitude. “I’m looking forward to continuing my hockey career at a great school and starting my schooling with the goal of becoming a firefighter.”
Hildebrand is the fourth defenceman to commit to the Saints for the 2012/13 season, joining Brett Kipling (Melville, SJHL), Dylan Smith (Richmond, PIJHL) and Mark Strachan (Kimberley, KIJHL).
“Lucas was probably the best defenseman from our division and maybe even our conference last season,” says Revesltoke head coach Kevin Kraus. “He was dominant in the corners last year and there were very few players he couldn’t outmuscle and take the puck away from. He also has very deceptive speed which helps his offensive game as well. He was our leading point-getter from the back end and quarterbacked our power play most nights. Off the ice he was a great leader and just an all-around mature young man.”