The Official Magazine of the British Columbia Hockey League


ncaa division I T


ravis Zajac is only in his fourth season in the National Hockey League, but the trajectory of his career path indicates that the success he’s enjoyed in recent years is just a preview of great accomplishments to come.


In 2004, the New Jersey Devils made Zajac a first round NHL


draft pick, tabbing the well-rounded centre from the BCHL’s Salmon Arm SilverBacks with the 20th overall selection. As an 18-year old, Zajac had finished second in league scoring with 112 points. He had already earned a scholarship to attend a top NCAA Division I program, and after two years at the University of North Dakota it was decided that he was ready make the jump to the NHL.


Zajac has been a constant on the Devils’ roster since then, missing


just two games in three-plus seasons while improving his point totals each year. In the 2008/09 campaign, the Winnipeg product scored 20 goals and totalled 62 points. Following New Jersey’s second-round playoff exit, he was invited to join Team Canada at the 2009 IIHF World Hockey Championships.


As a teenager, Zajac and his family made the choice for him to head


west from Manitoba to play for a top-calibre program in Salmon Arm. Following in their older brother’s footsteps, Darcy and Kelly Zajac also made the move to B.C. out of midget hockey and picked up NCAA Division I scholarships after junior careers with the SilverBacks.


Glen Dirk scouts the BCHL for New Jersey and has been a driving


force behind a number of the team’s draft selections from the league. He was one of the first to pick up on the former SilverBack’s potential as an impact player at the NHL level.


“Travis has always been a smart hockey player who makes the guys


around him better,” says Dirk. “He moves the puck well, he’s unselfish, and he always plays hard. He’s improving every year and picking up more confidence with the success he’s having.”


Dirk is a fixture at BCHL games, not only because of the top-end


draft talent the league produces, but also because of the many hidden gems that become pro-ready after further development in the NCAA. New Jersey has been highly successful when drafting from the league, with picks that have included Brendan Morrison, Willie Mitchell, Brad Bombardir, Aaron Voros, and Tyler Eckford. Recent selections Corbin McPherson and Curtis Gedig are developing in junior and college with an eye to making the leap in future seasons.


“(As a scout) I love finding the late-developing player,” Dirk explains.


“You’re always projecting what he’s going to do tomorrow, not today. At 18 or 19 years old, lots of players are just beginning to develop. Playing in the BCHL leaves the door open to go to college and have another four years to develop before they look to turn pro.”


BCHL graduates who earned NCAA Div. I scholarships on their way to the National Hockey League


NCAA Division I to the NHL Ryan Bayda - Vernon Vipers


The University of North Dakota, now with the Carolina Hurricanes Byron Bitz - Nanaimo Clippers


Cornell University, now with the Boston Bruins Tyler Bozak - Victoria Grizzlies


Denver University, now with the Toronto Maple Leafs Andrew Ebbett - Salmon Arm SilverBacks


The University of Michigan, now with the Minnesota Wild Tyler Eckford - Surrey Eagles


The University of Alaska (Fairbanks), now with the New Jersey Devils Jason Garrison - Nanaimo Clippers


The University of Minnesota-Duluth, now with the Florida Panthers Tanner Glass - Nanaimo Clippers


Dartmouth College, now with the Vancouver Canucks Shawn Horcoff - Chilliwack Chiefs


Michigan State, now with the Edmonton Oilers David Jones - Coquitlam Express


Dartmouth College, now with the Colorado Avalanche Paul Kariya - Penticton Panthers


The University of Maine, now with the St. Louis Blues Duncan Keith - Penticton Panthers


Michigan State, now with the Chicago Blackhawks Chuck Kobasew - Penticton Panthers


Boston College, now with the Minnesota Wild Willie Mitchell - Kelowna Spartans


Clarkson University, now with the Vancouver Canucks Brendan Morrison - Penticton Panthers


The University of Michigan, now with the Washington Capitals Ryan O’Byrne - Victoria Salsa


Cornell University, now with the Montreal Canadiens Nathan Oystrick - Surrey Eagles


The University of Northern Michigan, now with the Atlanta Thrashers Rod Pelley - Prince George Spruce Kings


Ohio State University, now with the New Jersey Devils Mike Santorelli - Vernon Vipers


Northern Michigan University, now with the Nashville Predators Tyson Strachan - Vernon Vipers


Ohio State University, now with the St. Louis Blues Jeff Tambellini - Chilliwack Chiefs


The University of Michigan, now with the New York Islanders Kyle Turris - Burnaby Express


The University of Wisconsin, third overall pick of the Phoenix Coyotes Aaron Voros - Victoria Salsa


The University of Alaska (Fairbanks), now with the New York Rangers Brandon Yip - Coquitlam Express


Boston University, now with the Colorado Avalanche Travis Zajac - Salmon Arm SilverBacks


The University of North Dakota, now with the New Jersey Devils Greg Zanon - Surrey Eagles


The University of Nebraska-Omaha, now with the Minnesota Wild 2010 EDUCATION ISSUE | 7


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