Saints ink Leafs sniper Jamie Vlanich to commitment letter for next season
By The Nelson Daily Sports
Nelson Leafs head coach Frank Maida probably felt he had been struck by lightning when he heard top goal scorer Jamie Vlanich was leaving the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League club for the Selkirk College Men’s Hockey program.
Maida can breathe a sigh of relief knowing Vlanich is going to the Saints, but not until the start of the 2014-15 season.
Saints head coach Jeff Dubois made the announcement Monday that the Trail native is committing to Saints beginning in the 2014/15 B.C. Intercollegiate Hockey League season.
“Jamie is a dynamic offensive player who brings a high skill level and a competitive attitude to our program,” Dubois said hopeful the prolific scoring machine can replace graduating players Scott Swiston and Matt Luongo.
“He’s proven himself as a top player in the KIJHL and last season he was a big piece of a championship team with the Rebels.”
The 5-foot-9, 160-pound center with the Cyclone Taylor Cup-host Nelson Leafs has 32 goals and added 58 assists in 41 games to lead all KIJHL scorers with 90 points.
Vlanich, who registered his 200th point Saturday during a win over Fernie Ghostriders, has played five seasons in the KIJHL as well as Junior A stops in B.C. and Saskatchewan.
“I’m really looking forward to joining a much-improved program that’s now a consistent, winning team in the BCIHL,” said Vlanich.
“I’ve been a part of many winning teams and I do whatever it takes to win.”
“Hopefully I can add to the great job the players and coaching staff has been doing and help Selkirk win another championship while I continuing my education and working towards a career,” he added.
The 20-year old played a key role for the Castlegar Rebels during their 2012/13 KIJHL Championship campaign, picking up 51 points in 37 regular season games while adding another 21 points in playoffs.
Vlanich spent the 2011/12 season playing Junior A hockey with the SJHL’s Yorkton Terriers, where he scored nine goals and 26 points in 44 games. He has also played with the BCHL’s Trail Smoke Eaters and Langley Rivermen.
The Saints next game is on Saturday (February 8)when they host the University of Victoria at the Castlegar Recreation Complex.
Faceoff is set for 7:30 p.m.
