43 games into his first BCHL season, Coquitlam Express forward Connor Gregga is among the top rookie scorers in the league and has been a key contributor to the highest-scoring team in the league this year. NCAA scouts have taken notice of his arrival as he has announced his commitment to the Minnesota State University Mavericks for the 2020-21 season.
The 18-year-old from Markham, Ont. currently ranks sixth in rookie scoring in the league with 39 points (18 goals, 21 assists) in 43 games. It’s taken him a couple of months to get acclimated to the fast-paced BCHL, but he’s been on a tear of late, notching 28 points in his last 21 games, including a four-point night in a Dec. 29 game against the Chilliwack Chiefs.
After finishing 16th overall last season, the Express have turned things around in a big way this year and sit in third place in the Mainland Division thanks to Gregga and Coquitlam’s group of high-scoring forwards. Their 179 goals for this year are tops in the BCHL.
Minnesota State is located in Mankato, Minn. and plays out of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) alongside Alabama Huntsville, Alaska Anchorage, Alaska, Bemidji State, Bowling Green, Ferris State, Lake Superior State, Michigan Tech and Northern Michigan.
This season, the Mavericks own a 19-6-1 record overall and are the top team in the WCHA. They were ranked No. 7 in the most recent NCAA National Polls.
Minnesota State’s current roster features former Wenatchee Wild defenceman Zak Galambos and former Merritt Centennials goaltender Jacob Berger.
Gregga is the fourth current BCHLer to commit to the Mavericks this season, joining Penticton Vees forward Ryan Sandelin, Salmon Arm Silverbacks defenceman Akito Hirose and Wenatchee Wild forward Lucas Sowder who are all committed to play there next season.
