Powell River Kings’ defender Sam Belanger has committed to play NCAA hockey at Lake Superior State University, the BC Hockey League (BCHL) team announced on Friday, November 18.
“It’s a great feeling; it’s a goal I've been looking to achieve my whole BCHL career,” stated Belanger. “I really like the coaching staff there, and their assistant coach Mike York played nine seasons in the NHL, so he knows what it takes to get there, and good things can happen for me by getting the chance to work with him.”
Belanger is currently in his third season with the Kings. The coaching staff has seen how he has developed in his tenure and knew a commitment was in his future.
“He’s somebody who came into this season with a goal to commit to a school and the fact that it happened 18 games in is no surprise; he’s very determined and deserving of this,” stated Kings’ assistant coach Harry Mahesh. “He has a lot of tools, he’s a good skater, he’s a good kid, strong, and he’s starting to figure out how to utilize all that to get an advantage over everyone else in the league.”
The 18-year-old from Montreal has five assists in 18 games this season and is the sixth player on the team to have a commitment to an NCAA school. He will join teammate Jack Blanchett at Lake Superior State.
Belanger and the Kings host Victoria Grizzlies at Hap Parker Arena for a pair of games this weekend, November 18 at 7 pm and November 19 at 5 pm.
