One of the most storied NCAA Division I hockey programs is coming to the second annual Great Northwest Showcase in January.
The seven-time NCAA national Frozen Four champion University of North Dakota will be the headliner at the two-day, four-team hockey exhibition tournament at the Bill Copeland Sports Centre on Jan. 3 and 4.
Host Simon Fraser University and crosstown rival University of British Columbia will take on the Fighting Sioux and Ivy League conference Princeton on separate nights at the showcase.
Last year, SFU invited a pair of Div. III programs to the showcase.
“Div. III was awesome, but Div. I is even bigger. It’s setting the stage for an even bigger matchup,” said SFU team captain Tyler Mah. “It’s exhibition, but we take it as one of the biggest games in our careers.”
Mah, who played his junior A career in the B.C. and Saskatchewan leagues, says he’s expecting a fast-paced brand of hockey; hard hitting and probably a lot of goals.
“It’s going to be exciting for the fans,” added Mah. “It’s something they haven’t seen up here. … A lot of the players are going to be local.”
As many as five players on the UND bench are drafted players into the NHL, including Jordan Schmaltz, a first-round pick of the St. Louis Blues in 2012 and New York Rangers third-round pick, Adam Tambellini, who took the Surrey Eagles to the Royal Bank Cup last season.
Five former B.C. Hockey League players committed to Princeton, most notabley defenceman Marlon Sabo of Surrey and Delta goalie Sean Bonar.
Two hometown boys will be back in familiar environs for the UBC Thunderbirds.
Burnaby Minor product Luke Lockhart, who played his entire Western Hockey League career with Seattle before going back to school, recently set a new Canada West conference record with three shorthanded goals in a single game.
Freshman keeper Matt Hewitt starred with the Regina Pats of the WHL.
Organizer and SFU head coach Mark Coletta calls North Dakota the equivalent of “the Oklahoma of football and Duke of basketball.”
SFU kicks off the showcase against Princeton on Jan. 3 at 4 p.m., while UBC and North Dakota tangle in the late game.
On Jan. 4, UBC and Princeton face off at 4 p.m., with SFU taking on the Fighting Sioux at 7 p.m.
What brings NCAA programs out west is the hundreds of BCHL players who commit to U.S. universities every season, said Coletta.
“We’re doing it for credibility and awareness of a (NCAA) game that is not seen out here,” he said.
Programs like North Dakota have a supportive alumni and a big following is expected at the showcase, Coletta said.
“In all honesty, I think it would be a shame if people did not come out and watch North Dakota and Princeton play hockey,” Coletta added.
As well, Coletta and Princeton head coach Robert Prier will field questions prior to Saturday’s game from parents on what university hockey program’s look for in a player and what a player may gain by going to school.
“At the end of the day, you have two decisions to make, pursue a pro career or go to school and see what happens later. Neither is a bad option,” said Coletta.
“I just think it’s going to be a great event for Burnaby and the SFU hockey team.”
Tickets are on sale now by going online at www.greatnorthwestshowcase.com.
