(Submitted by Alex Hoegler, BCHL communications)
A Cowichan Valley Capitals defenceman will showcase his skills in college this upcoming fall.
Jake Switzer, who appeared in 108 games over the last two seasons for the Capitals, will join NCAA Div. III Concordia Wisconsin of the Northern Collegiate Hockey Association (NCHA) next season.
A native of Swansea, Ill., Switzer was a defensively responsible player with a physical edge for the Caps, putting up 12 points in his BCHL career to go along with 133 penalty minutes. He helped the Capitals reach the playoffs for the first time in four years this past season. Head coach and general manager Bob Beatty believes he’ll make a big impact in the NCAA.
“Jake is the ultimate team player with a tremendous work ethic on and off the ice,“ Beatty said. “He provides a definite physical presence and versatility with his ability to play defence or forward. He will block shots, finish checks, and make the team harder to play against.”
The 6-foot-3, 215-pound blueliner is the only BCHLer currently committed to the Falcons for next season. He’s also one of the four Cowichan Valley players set to join an NCAA team in the fall, along with forward Ryan Burton (Union,) forward Corey Hoffman (Cornell,) and defenceman Mitch Meek (Clarkson.)
Switzer will join forward Eric Therrien in Concordia Wisconsin, an Alberni Valley Bulldogs alum who played with the team in 2014-15.
Other teams in the NCHA are Adrian, Aurora, Finlandia, Lake Forest, Lawrence, Marian, Milwaukee School of Engineering, Northland, St. Norbert and St. Scholastica.
