The Official Magazine of the British Columbia Hockey League


ncaa division III C


ole Anderson had hoped to earn an NCAA Division I scholarship when he suited up for the Trail Smoke Eaters during the 2006/07 season. And while his path to college hockey didn’t work out quite as he had expected, the 23-


year old has found success and satisfaction at Division III Amherst College in Amherst, Massachusetts. While the school may not have the same level of name recognition as Harvard or Yale for a Western Canadian like Anderson, Amherst is consistently ranked amongst the United State’s top colleges and universities. Its alumni include a former U.S. president, three astronauts and four Nobel prize winners.


“It can be pretty demanding,” the Economics major says of balancing academics with hockey. “But it’s always a good challenge. You realize that you’re accomplishing a whole lot more than just what you’re doing on the ice.”


The calibre of competition in NCAA Division III has been a pleasant surprise to Anderson, who split duties during his sophomore season while posting a 1.51 goals-against average and .954 save percentage. He’s now grabbed the starter’s job for his own as a junior.


Away from the rink, Anderson is beginning to narrow down his career options with only a year and a half remaining until he completes his degree. He says there was an obvious adjustment from the junior hockey lifestyle to a full-time courseload at a top U.S. college, but he chalks up his success to a combination of solid work habits and no shortage of help from his teammates.


“I was lucky to have another Western guy (Quesnel Millionaires grad Ted Vickers) who took me under his wing a bit,” Anderson says. “And you realize quickly that you need the mindset to focus on your studies every day and be diligent with your work.”


Looking back, Anderson has fond memories of his time in the BCHL, both for the friendships he made and the development as a player that he experienced from facing top-end opposition.


“The year I played in Trail, there were two guys in the league who ended up being NHL first round picks,” he says. “Getting to play against that level of competition helped prepare me for taking the next step in my career.”


Amherst head coach Jack Arena says the college began looking to the BCHL for talent after noticing the large number of players being drawn from the league by Ivy League teams.


“With the academic requirements neccesary to get in to a school like ours, you’re dealing with a small pool of players,” he says. “We knew that the BCHL was producing players with a strong academic background who had been playing hockey at a high level.”


BCHL Grads in NCAA Division III


Adrian College (MCHA) Mike Towns, Penticton Sam Kuzyk, Cowichan Valley Shawn Courtney, Powell River


Amherst College (NESCAC) Ted Vickers, Quesnel Cole Anderson, Trail John Van Siclen, Prince George


Concordia College (MIAC) Mike Persson, Penticton Jared Collen, Powell River Mark McNaughton, Powell River Brian Kang, Alberni Valley Ben Payne, Quesnel


Curry College (ECAC N.E.) Zachary Cardella, Trail Michael Guzzo, Penticton John Williams, Williams Lake


Elmira College (ECAC West) Brock Sawyer, Powell River Mark Morikawa, Alberni Valley


Manhattanville (ECAC West) Danny Genovese, Chilliwack Steve Cunningham, Burnaby Evan Michalchuk, Salmon Arm Connor Krukowski, Nanaimo Ronnie Smith, Nanaimo


Marian College (MCHA) Tommy Fitzpatrick, Victoria


New England (ECAC East) Trevor Turner, Williams Lake Mark Ehl, Powell River Bill McGinnis, Williams Lake


Neumann (ECAC West) Sean Bianchini, Williams Lake Jordan Zalba, Merritt


St. Micheal’s (ECAC East) Brian Brunton, Chilliwack Morgan Bell, Powell River


St. Norbert College (NCHA) Mike Bernardy Langley Dylan Exton Prince George Alain Joanette Prince George Justin Favreau Nanaimo


St. Olaf College (MIAC) Justin Thomas Vernon


St. Scholastica College (NCHA) Jordan Baird, Victoria Jordan Chong, Alberni Valley Dustin DeGagne, Salmon Arm Jeff Gagnon, Victoria Rob Rodgers, Salmon Arm Aaron Spotts, Cowichan Valley Daman Milsom, Westside Brett Corcoran, Trail


St. Thomas College (MIAC) Parker Burgess, Powell River


Brockport (SUNYAC) Ray Tremblay, Trail


Buffalo State (SUNYAC) Sean Murray, Powell River


Fredonia (SUNYAC) Mike Pao, Burnaby


Geneseo (SUNYAC) Stefan Decosse, Trail David Arduin, Westside Ryan Bulach, Trail Colin de Jersey, Burnaby


Plattsburgh (SUNYAC) Cody Adams, Cowichan Valley


Tufts University (NESCAC) Lindsay Walker, Powell River


Wentworth Institute (ECAC N.E.) Casey Shade, Trail Mark McKamey, Powell River Vinny Muchalla, Prince George


Wisconsin-Eau Claire (NCHA) Skylar Christofferson, Westside


Wisconsin-River Falls (NCHA) Jason Yuel, Prince George Eric Babcook, Salmon Arm Brady Horn, Langley


Wisconsin-Stevens Pt. (NCHA) Brandon Busse, Prince George


Wisconsin-Superior (NCHA) Kyle Leahy, Powell River Casey Dion, Langley


DID YOU KNOW? STUDENT ATHLETE HANDBOOK


Players and families who want to learn more about post-secondary options in Canada and the United States can access the BCHL’s Guide for the College- Bound Student Athlete at bchl.ca. This guide contains important information about academic and athletic eligibility and recruiting guidelines.


2010 EDUCATION ISSUE | 21


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