The Selkirk College Men's Hockey program is pleased to announce a playing commitment from forward Ryan Edwards (Trail, B.C.) to attend Selkirk College and compete for the Saints beginning in the 2014/15 B.C. Intercollegiate Hockey League season.
Edwards is a 6-foot-2, 190 pound centre who is completing his fourth and final season of junior hockey with the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League’s Beaver Valley Nitehawks. Edwards led Beaver Valley in scoring this season with 31 goals and 84 points in 50 regular season games, with his points total good for fourth overall in the KIJHL.
The 20-year old has also played a key role in the Nitehawks' run to the 2014 League Finals, as his 13 goals and 30 points through three playoff rounds lead all KIJHL skaters. Overall, Edwards places fourth on the KIJHL's career scoring leaderboard with 96 goals and 249 points in 171 career games. He has added another 91 points in 61 playoff games.
"We're thrilled to be adding another top local player in Ryan," says Saints head coach Jeff Dubois. "His offensive production in the KIJHL speaks for itself, and he's also proven himself as a very capable two-way player and penalty killer whose size and strength bring an added dimension beyond his scoring and playmaking abilities. I see Ryan being a valuable addition to our team who can make substantial contributions as a first-year player in our league next season."
Edwards has also spent time in the BCHL with the Trail Smoke Eaters and Vernon Vipers, scoring three times and totaling nine points in 19 games during the 2011/12 and 2012/13 seasons.
"I'm looking forward to furthering my education at Selkirk College and having the opportunity to play a higher caliber of hockey on a team that has become a dominant force in the BCIHL," says Edwards, who describes himself as an intense, hard-working playmaker. "My goals are to get a good start towards my degree and to be a top forward that can contribute both offensively and defensively and help Selkirk win another championship."
Edwards and the Nitehawks will begin the 2014 KIJHL Finals tonight against the Kamloops Storm with a league championship and a spot in the Cyclone Taylor Cup on the line.
"We're excited for Ryan as he looks to tackle his next challenge in hockey playing for the Saints," says Beaver Valley head coach Terry Jones. "We know he will bring his skill, work ethic and leadership abilities in helping Selkirk College continue with their winning tradition."
Edwards is the Saints' fourth commitment for the 2014/15 season, joining forwards Jamie Vlanich (Nelson Leafs, KIJHL) and Connor Beauchemin (Castlegar Rebels, KIJHL) and defenceman Curtis Toneff (Campbell River Storm, VIJHL).