For many aspiring hockey players, the route to a possible stay in the NHL begins in their home towns, followed by scholarships, stays in the WHL, and so on.
Seven graduating players of the SJHL are one step closer to that dream
Tony Oak, Kyle Birch, Cole Gibson, Cris Neurauter, Cody Folstad and Mitch Galbraith have all committed to Canadian or American Universities/Colleges.
Cole Gibson has committed to Milwaukee College in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Last year, with Estevan, in 57 games, he scored 33 points (17G, 16A) with 49 PIMs. This year, in Estevan, Melfort and the Battlefords, in 49 games, he potted 46 points (25G, 21A) while adding 24 PIMs.
Kyle Birch, Richard Cameron and Cody Folstad have all decided to play at Portage College in Lac La Biche, Alta. Birch, in three years as a North Star, amassed a career .889 save percentage, and 3.74 GAA, with a respectable 45-43-2-1 record. Folstad, over his two years in North Battleford, collected 16 goals and 36 assists (62 PTS) in 103 games, with 174 PIM's. Former Battleford resident Richard Cameron, through two years with La Ronge and Notre Dame, had combined for 47 points (25 G, 22A) and 104 PIMs in 104 games.
Cris Neurauter and former La Ronge Ice Wolves and Battleford resident Adam Bartko have committed to playing at SAIT in Calgary, Alta. Neurauter, in three years with Melfort, Estevan, and the Battlefords, played a total of 143 games, scored 17 while adding 63 helpers (80 PTS), and amassing 223 PIM's. Bartko, playing three years with Notre Dame and La Ronge, racked up a 50-26-5-3 record, while posting a career 3.59 GAA and .898 SA%.
Tony Oak has decided to join four other SJHL graduates at Simon Fraser University in Burnaby, B.C. He played his entire junior career in North Battleford, scoring 12 goals and 30 points, while piling up 582 PIMs in 148 games.
Mitch Galbraith has committed his talents to Mount Royal in Calgary, Alta. Last year with the North Stars, Galbraith had 5 goals and 8 assists in 27 games, along with 31 PIMs.
