The Alberni Valley Bulldogs would like to congratulate three Bulldog alumni on their commitments to NCAA Division 1 schools. Casey Bailey, Connor Varley and Kenney Morrison have all finalized university commitments this fall after playing last season for the Bulldogs.
Bailey and Varley have both committed to the new Div 1 program at Penn State University while Morrison has decided to attend the University of Western Michigan. All three players were drafted by teams in the highly regarded US Hockey League last spring. After much soul searching they made the decision this summer to move to the States this year to play Junior. Bailey and Morrison are playing for the Omaha Lancers while Varley is playing for the Des Moines Buccaneers.
Bailey and Varley are both US born players which was a big factor in them finishing their Junior careers in the States. The 6’3’’ 195 Bailey is from Anchorage Alaska and came to the Bulldogs in the 2009-2010 season. Described as power forward Bailey enjoy two excellent seasons in Alberni finishing with a total of 41 goals and 41 assists for 82 points. Varley joined the Bulldogs last season out of Lansdale Pennsylvania. He had a strong rookie season recording 9 goals and 20 assists for 29 points and finished as the Bulldogs top defenseman.
Morrison is a native of Lloydminster, Alberta and last season he registered 35 points, eight goals, 27 assists, in 55 games for the Bulldogs. Morrison was drafted by Omaha as one of the few import players. The 6’2”, 190 pound defenseman leads all Omaha defensemen and is tied for third among all USHL blueliners with 31 shots on goal this season. Morrison will join fellow Bulldog alumni Frank Slubowski when he arrives at Western Michigan. Slubowski is having an excellent rookie season in goal for the Broncos.
All three players were quick to comment on how their time in the Alberni Valley with the Bulldogs contributed to their success. Morrison stated that “playing in Alberni helped me to develop both on and off ice. Coaches Paul Esdale and Kevin Hassleburg were a big part of my development on the ice and I would like to thank them. Through Tom McEvay's commitment to the players and wanting us to succeed I was in a good position to be eligible for the NCAA. I would also like to thank the Bulldog organization, the community, and my billeting family John and Evelyn Mesic for their support.”
Varley shared many of the same sentiments …"My time in the Alberni Valley was pivotal in achieving my dream of playing Division One hockey. Coach Esdale, Tom McEvay, my teammates, and the community supported me in reaching this dream and I will be forever thankful for the time I spent in Port Alberni. I learned a lot about the game and how to be successful on and off the ice. I wish nothing but the best for the team and community in the future. “
The veteran Bailey summed up his feelings… “My 2 years in Alberni were very critical to my hockey career. It matured me as a hockey player and as a man. I was granted the opportunity to play with and watch great players during my time in Alberni. I learned a lot from coaches Nolan Graham and Paul Esdale. The staff and fans in Alberni were amazing and I would like to give a special thanks to Tom McEvay, he has always been there for me when I needed him, no matter what it was. Finally my billets Nancy and Terry Smeltzer were amazing and are now long life friends. My time spent in Port was a great period in my life and leaving was one of the hardest things I have ever done. I am proud to say I was an Alberni Valley Bulldog and will be for the rest of my life.”
Bulldog’s President Andy Oakes commented, “we are proud to have been a part in the development and college recruitment of all three of these players. When they left us we knew a lot of the work had been done. We were sad to see them leave last summer but in hockey one never begrudges a player or a coach taking advantage of an opportunity that they think will benefit them. We wish them all the best of success with their current teams and as they pursue their hockey and education dreams at the NCAA Division 1 level. “
3 Bulldog Alumni Commit to NCAA Schools
