Saints strike it rich on prairies with Millionaire defenceman
By The Nelson Daily Sports
The Selkirk College Saints Men’s Hockey team continues to stockpile recruits for the upcoming 2012/13 B.C. Intercollegiate Hockey League season.
The latest player to commit to the program is Brett Kipling of Kerrobert, Sask.
Kipling comes to the West Kootenay having played in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League for the Melville Millionaires.
Kipling scored three times and totalled nine points in 34 regular season games and added four points in eight playoff contests for the Millionaires after an early season trade from the Melfort Mustangs.
In Melfort, Kipling played 71 games over two seasons, picking up six points and 74 minutes in penalties.
“Brett is a steady two-way defenceman who has proven himself as a key
player at the Junior A level,” said Saints head coach Jeff Dubois.
“He brings three years of experience in the SJHL where he’s played against a high level of competition, so I expect his transition to college hockey to be a smooth one. Brett will have an opportunity to play a big role and log some important minutes for us next season.”
Kipling is the second defenceman to commit to Selkirk College this
spring, joining 6-foot-4 blueliner Dylan Smith.
Kipling and Smith, who played with the AJHL’s Lloydminster Bobcats and NAHL’s Dawson Creek Rage, combine to bring over 200 games of Junior A experience to the Saints’ blueline.
“I’m excited to be able to continue my hockey career at Selkirk College,” says Kipling, who describes himself as a hard working, gritty two-way defenceman.
“I’m looking forward to the opportunity to help Selkirk College chase a league championship, along with experiencing the college lifestyle.”
Kipling is the 11th player to commit to the Saints for the 2012 season.
He joins forwards Thomas Hardy (Aldergrove, PIJHL), Jackson Garrett (Comox, VIJHL), Cole Thomson (Kerry Park, VIJHL), Scott Swiston (Creston, KIJHL), Connor McLaughlin (Fernie, KIJHL), Kyle Golz (Grandview, PIJHL), Matthew Luongo (Aldergrove, PIJHL) and Brodie Gibbon (Oceanside, VIJHL), defencemen Dylan Smith (Richmond, PIJHL) and goaltender Stephen Wolff (Oceanside, VIJHL).
