The Official Magazine of the British Columbia Hockey League
academic all-stars GARRETT JAMES photo
DYLAN WALCHUK VERNON VIPERS
Not many players manage to clinch
an NCAA Division I scholarship before they ever make their first appearance in Junior A hockey, but that can’t be said for Vernon Vipers forward Dylan Walchuk. The McBride, B.C. native locked up
his commitment with Northern Michigan University just after completing his final season with the Nelson Leafs of the Koote- nay International Junior Hockey League. Now a Viper, Walchuk sits third in
team scoring and has racked up an im- pressive record in the classroom too. “I like the sciences; biology is one of
my favourite courses,” says the 5-foot-9, 175-pounder. “I want to study athletic training and be a personal trainer.” Walchuk has been an honour roll stu-
dent at previous schools and that remains the objective at Vernon Secondary. This semester he’s taking Math and English
MARK DUTHIE photo
RJAY BERRA PRINCE GEORGE SPRUCE KINGS
Every kid that’s strapped on a pair
of skates dreams of playing pro hockey. RJay Berra is no different, but he realizes that only a small percentage get the op- portunity to earn a paycheque playing the game they love. For that reason, the Prince George
Spruce Kings forward has been taking classes at the College of New Caledo- nia. He’s got some ideas for his career after hockey too. “If a scholarship comes along, great,
that’s my goal, but if not I’d like to do something in business or teaching.” The 6-foot, 180-pound forward set the
academic bar high for himself in second- ary school by never missing the honour roll. It’s harder to maintain that standard now, but Berra seems willing to make the necessary sacrifices.
“He’s always asking questions and looking to learn and appreciate new ideas.”
- Ed Dempsey “We’re on the road a lot so I put aside
time to study. Every road trip I bring text- books to read and get caught up.” Prince George bench boss Ed Dempsey
loves working with Berra at practice and off-ice sessions because of his always in- quisitive nature. “RJay is a real smart hockey player,”
says Dempsey. “He’s very attentive and intelligent. At practice and video, he’s always asking questions and looking to learn and appreciate new ideas.”
-B.M. 2010 EDUCATION ISSUE | 41
“When the team’s on the road, we always end up hitting the books pretty hard.”
- Dylan Walchuk
and joins teammate Darrin Robak for Monday study groups. In addition to his enjoyment of science
in the classroom, he enjoys a good book and is currently reading Jules Verne’s Jour- ney to the Centre of the Earth. Vipers coach Mark Ferner says that
the rookie’s eye for preparation is part of what makes him such a great prospect. “He comes to the rink and doesn’t say
a whole bunch, but when he gets on the ice he’s exactly what we want on our team and in our organization.”
-B.M.
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