A Summerland hockey player will play hockey for the Selkirk College Saints for the remainder of the season.
Colin Minardi, a former player with the Summerland Steam, transferred to the college from Finlandia University in Hancock, Michigan, where he had spent the first half of the season playing NCAA Division III hockey for the Lions.
Jeff Dubois, head coach of the Saints, said Minardi will be a good fit for the team.
“He’s a big kid who skates well,” Dubois said. “Colin is a skilled and versatile forward who can play either at centre or on the wing.”
Before playing for Finlandia, Minardi spent three seasons in the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League with the North Okanagan Knights and the Summerland Steam.
He played 122 regular season games and earned 46 goals and 63 assists, including 30 points in 24 games as captain of the Steam last season.
He also played for the Victoria Cougars in the Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League. On that team, he added 17 points and helped the team to a league championship.
Dubois said Minardi’s leadership ability was one of the factors which made him a good choice for the Saints.
Minardi is ready to play for Selkirk College.
“I’m looking forward to playing for Selkirk while furthering my education,” he said. “I’ve heard great things about Coach Dubois and the guys on the team. It sounds like they are all working hard and that’s big for me. I enjoy working hard and being pushed by my teammates to be better. Plus the team’s record speaks for itself.”