In his first BCHL season, Prince George Spruce Kings defenceman Layton Ahac is making his contributions count and he’s proven he’s more than capable of competing at this level despite being one of the youngest players in the league.
The 2001-born North Vancouver native has five goals – three of them game-winners – from the blueline and his 20 points in 30 games leads all PG D-men and is good enough for sixth on the team.
All of these factors have added up to an NCAA commitment to Ohio State University (OSU) for the 2019-20 season.
Ahac plans to play another BCHL season before heading off to join the Buckeyes program which competes in the NCAA’s Big 10 conference along with Penn State, Wisconsin, Notre Dame, Michigan, Minnesota and Michigan State.
The Buckeyes seem to have refocused their recruiting efforts on the BCHL after having only a few players from the league on their roster in recent seasons. Ahac is the third BCHL player to commit to OSU in the last six weeks, joining Wenatchee Wild captain AJ Vanderbeck and Vernon Vipers forward Josh Prokop.
The lone BCHL alum on the Buckeyes roster this season is former Powell River Kings defenceman Matt Joyaux.
Ohio State is located in Columbus, Ohio and the hockey program is coached by Steve Rohlik. The Buckeyes hockey team plays at the 17,500 seat Value City Arena. Prominent hockey alums include Ryan Kesler, RJ Umberger and Ryan Dzingel. Former BCHL players who have suited up for Ohio State include Craig Dalrymple, Chad Niddery, Zac Dalpe, Devon Krogh, Curtis Gedig and Travis Statchuk.
