Cowichan Valley Capitals defenseman Curtis Gedig and Penticton Vees forward Alex Szczechura have signed NCAA National Letters of Intent and will join the Ohio State Buckeyes Men's hockey team beginning in 2010/11, head coach John Markell announced Tuesday.
Gedig, born in September 1991, is a native of West Kelowna, British Columbia. A 6-foot-3, 190-pound left shot defenseman, he was drafted by the New Jersey Devils in the seventh round (No. 204) of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. He is in his second year with the Capitals and has skated in 20 games, with five goals (four power-play tallies) and three assists.
He began 2008-09 with the Merritt Centennials before being traded to the Caps. Gedig played in 30 games for the Centennials and had 10 assists and 12 points a season ago. With the Capitals he recorded two goals, four assists and six points in 16 regular-season games. He represented Canada in the 2009 World Junior A Challenge, skating for Team West in the tournament in Summerside, Prince Edward Island.
“Curtis is a big kid that skates well, has good vision and makes the right pass,” Markell said. “He has raw skills with a lot of upside that we're excited to incorporate into our lineup.”
Szczechura, a native of Brantford, Ontario, who was born in May 1990, is a 5-foot-10, 180-pound forward and has played in 21 games this season, posting 23 points on nine goals (five on the power play) along with 14 assists. His brother, Paul, played four years for Western Michigan in the CCHA (2004-07) and is currently in the NHL with the Tampa Bay Lightning.
“Alex is a very skilled forward with great vision,” Markell said. “He has the ability to give more to a power play. He's known for his passing skills but can put the puck in the net as well and has a history of putting up points at every level. He's currently playing a big role for a strong team in Penticton that has the ability to go far in the playoffs.”
