The British Columbia Hockey League's Victoria Grizzlies are pleased to announce that defencemen Jake Baker and Braxton Bilous have each secured scholarship commitments to NCAA Division I universities.
Baker, the Grizzlies' captain, has committed to attend Northern Michigan University and suit up for the Wildcats in 2012. The six-foot-six Port Moody, B.C. product has earned a reputation as one of the league's top shut-down blueliners over three seasons that have included stops in Merritt and Nanaimo.
“Jake has improved every year he's been in the league and he's developed into a very good player,” says Grizzlies head coach Vic Gervais. “He plays against the opposition's top line and he brings a very physical style of play; he can turn a game around with one big hit.”
The 19-year old will join a pair of fellow Grizzlies at Northern Michigan, as 2009 RBC Cup team member Wade Epp and 2009/10 captain Brian Nugent are already suiting up for the Wildcats.
Bilous, meanwhile, has committed to attend Merrimack College for the 2013 NCAA season. The Langley, B.C. product is a BCHL rookie who turned heads in training camp with his decision-making and a solid, all-around game at just 16-years of age.
“Braxton came to camp as an uncarded player and he played his way on to the team,” says Gervais. “You can see his potential and tell that he's going to be very good in this league and at the next level. Defensively he's very solid and he makes a really good first pass.”
At Merrimack, Bilous will join a bevy of current BCHLers that includes Westside Warriors blueliners Isaak Berglund and Matt Cronin and the Surrey Eagles' brother duo of forwards Tyler and Brandon Morley.
