Selkirk College Saints Add Experience at Both Ends of the Ice
By Bob Hall
The Selkirk College Saints have added a pair of highly regarded former junior players to the roster for the upcoming 2017-2018 British Columbia Intercollegiate Hockey League (BCIHL) season.
Forward Michal Holub and defenceman Parker Wakaruk have committed to Selkirk College and will help the Saints in their pursuit of returning the BCIHL championship trophy to the West Kootenay when the season begins in September.
“Both Michal and Parker have excellent junior hockey resumes,” says Saints head coach Brent Heaven.
“Their experience, character and leadership are exactly the kind of individuals we want in our program.”
Holub hails from the Lower Mainland and started his junior career in the Western Hockey League (WHL) where he spent two seasons with the Seattle Thunderbirds and Lethbridge Hurricanes.
The 6’1” right winger then finished his junior hockey career in the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) and Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL).
“I chose Selkirk College because there is great opportunity here for me,” says Holub.
“My buddy Marcel Fuchs played for the Saints and had nothing but good things to say about the school and the program. The program has four championships, how could you not want to be a part of that? Also, I love the West Kootenay area in the winter, it can be quite beautiful.”
The Saints have lost several key offensive weapons to graduation and Heaven is confident that Holub will be one of the newcomers to pick up the slack.
“With Michal’s extensive major junior experience, he will be able to contribute in many ways including leadership for our program,” says Heaven. “Michal brings a good team mentality, work ethic and desire to succeed. He is a big body that likes to play physical and has a good set of hands to chip-in on the offensive side.”
Wakaruk arrives from the SJHL’s Humbolt Broncos where the blueliner had an excellent 2016-2017 season scoring four goals and adding ten assists. Still deciding between the Business Program and the Recreation Fish & Wildlife Program to focus his academic pursuits, Wakaruk is looking forward to starting the next chapter of his life.
“I decided on Selkirk College because it not only has a great selection of post-secondary educational opportunities in a smaller learning environment, but also a very strong hockey program in which I can continue to develop as an individual and more importantly, a team player,” says the 6’1” defenceman.
“I have heard only positive things about the school and the hockey team, and am very excited to see what the future holds in Castlegar.”
With defence a key to winning championships, Heaven says Wakaruk will be a good fit on the Saints’ blueline.
“Parker is a very hard working, dedicated leader,” says Heaven.
“He will bring a real calm to the back end, while being extremely difficult to play against. I expect him to help shut down the defensive zone while making every shift an absolute battle for his opponent. He is also able to be quick and precise with his outlet options.”
Holub and Wakaruk join Brandon Sookro and Logan Kerner in the players already announced for the Saints’ 2017-2018 recruiting class. The 2017-2018 BCIHL season starts in September.
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