Kings' DaSilva commits to Buckeyes

Press Release

The British Columbia Hockey League's Powell River Kings are pleased to announce that a second-year defenceman and assistant captain Justin DaSilva has committed to attend Ohio State University and suit up for the NCAA Division I Buckeyes for the 2011/12 season.

A native of Cambridge, Ontario, DaSilva joined the Kings during the 2009/10 campaign and immediately established himself as a towering presence on the Kings' back end. This year the six-foot-five blueliner is fourth in team scoring and has totalled 59 points in 68 career games in the BCHL.

"We’re ecstatic to have two Kings players heading into the Buckeyes program next year," says Powell River head coach Kent Lewis. "DaSilva has continued to elevate his game and is now one of the more dominant players in the league. Ohio State is going to have a real solid player for four years."

DaSilva chose Ohio State for its well-established hockey program that has produced National Hockey League players like Vancouver's Ryan Kesler and Columbus's RJ Umberger. Former BCHLers Zac Dalpe and Hunter Bishop, who each signed professional contracts at the end of the 2009/10 season, are also products of the Buckeyes program.

Justin looks forward to pursuing his passion for the game while studying towards a four-year degree in either Business Management or Sports Management.

(Nathan can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)