2016/17 BULLDOGS TEAM MVP EARNS OPPORTUNITY TO PLAY COLLEGE HOCKEY WITH SEAWOLVES
Port Alberni, BC – The Alberni Valley Bulldogs are thrilled to announce that 20-year old goaltender Brody Claeys has committed to attend the University of Alaska Anchorage and suit up for the NCAA Division I Seawolves for the 2017/18 season.
Claeys joined the Bulldogs midway through the 2015/16 season in a trade from the Manitoba Junior Hockey League’s OCN Blizzard. He went on to play 76 regular season games in an Alberni Valley uniform, compiling an overall record of 24 wins, 40 losses and five ties along with a 3.13 goals-against average and a .904 save-percentage. Following the 2016/17 season, Claeys was named the Bulldogs’ Most Valuable Player at the team’s year-end awards banquet.
“I’m really excited to have the opportunity to play Division I hockey and continue my education at UAA,” says Claeys. “This has been my goal and something I have been working towards for quite some time. I would like to thank my family, coaches, teammates and billet families for helping me achieve my goals.”
“I’d also like to thanks the Port Alberni community and fans who helped make my experience there so enjoyable. I want to extend a special thank you to Alex (Evin) for helping me develop as a goalie and giving me the opportunity to play in Port Alberni. Also, to Tom McEvay for all his educational expertise, support and guidance.”
In Anchorage, Claeys will join a Seawolves team that competes in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association and recently graduated former Bulldogs defenceman Chase Van Allen.
“On behalf of the entire Bulldogs organization, I’d like to congratulate Brody on this great accomplishment and wish him all the best in his college hockey career,” says head coach Matt Hughes. “We take great pride in helping young men take the next step in their academic and athletic pursuits, and Brody is another example of a player who will represent the Alberni Valley well at the collegiate level.”
Claeys is the third player from the Bulldogs’ 2016/17 roster who has committed to play NCAA hockey next season, joining forward Henry Marshall and defenceman Trevor Cosgrove. Another commitment will be announced in the coming days.
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For more information, please contact:
Matt Hughes
Head Coach/GM
(250) 723-4412
matt@albernivalleybulldogs.ca
