Press Release
It’s been a big week for the West Kelowna Warriors.
Veteran
defenceman Josh Monk committed to Providence College earlier in the
week, and now two more promising young players have ironed out their
futures.
Star forward Seb Lloyd announced his plans
earlier on Thursday via twitter (@Sebway4). “Committed to Harvard 2014
thanks to everyone who helped me reach my goal #dreamcometrue.”
Now in second season with the Warriors, the 18 year-old is enjoying a breakout season.
The Prince George native has notched 33 points (15+18) in 25 games so far.
In
addition, the star forward was an integral part of a silver
medal-winning Team Canada West at this year’s World Junior ‘A’ Challenge
in Nova Scotia. At the event, Lloyd scored the lone goal of the
semi-final, and was then named Canada West’s player of the game in the
final.
“I’m really excited I get to go to a place like Harvard”
Lloyd says of the opportunity. “It’ll be unreal to combine great
schooling with a top-flight hockey program. It’s what I’ve been looking
for all along.”
Lloyd adds that the chance to attend an
ivy-league institution is an important stepping-stone for him. “My
parents have always stressed education. Hockey is going to end someday
for all of us, so an ivy league degree will set me up very well for life
after hockey.”
Lloyd will be joining Adam Plant at Harvard,
with the Warriors’ rookie defenceman having already committed to the
Crimson this past summer.
Meanwhile, David Pope is also on his way to the NCAA, having accepted a scholarship to the University of Nebraska at Omaha.
Likewise
in his second year with the Warriors, Pope has become one of the team’s
most reliable scorers, contributing 19 points (7+12) in 24 games this
season.
Also 18 years old, the Edmonton native says he’s delighted to have committed to the UNO Mavericks.
“Getting
a division I scholarship has been my goal since before I started
playing Junior” an excited Pope declares. When I was down there, there
wasn’t one single thing I could see that I didn’t like. It’s a nice
place, they have great coaches, and it just seems like a good fit for
me.”
And amidst the excitement of sending two more young
men to prestigious NCAA programs, the Warriors are also sowing the seeds
for their future.
While commitments like these should be able
to help the Warriors (and the BCHL) with future recruiting, there is a
more concrete upshot for West Kelowna.
Both Lloyd and Pope have
committed for the 2014-15 season, meaning both will play for the
Warriors next year before heading to college.
“We’re
obviously thrilled for both of these guys and their families” says
Warriors Head Coach Rylan Ferster of the commitments. “There are
skilled young players and (more importantly) great people who have
worked hard for this chance. Of course, we’re also expecting big things
from them over the next year and a half.”
David Pope
is currently nursing an upper-body injury, and will be a game-time
decision for this weekend’s action. Seb Lloyd will be in the lineup as
the Warriors take on Salmon Arm.
The Warriors host the Silverbacks on Friday night, before playing in Salmon Arm on Saturday.
(Nathan can be reached at nathanfournier@mainehockeyjournal.com)
KOTP Ep. 184 – The Final 15
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