Photo credit: Garrett James Photography
Prince George Spruce Kings forward Nicholas Poisson had a solid rookie season in the BCHL, but where he really stood out was on the biggest stage at the National Junior A Championships. The 17-year-old scored a goal in all six of his games played to lead the tournament in that category as the Spruce Kings made it all the way to the championship game. His production at the tournament did not go unnoticed as he has committed to the Providence College Friars for the 2020-21 season.
Poisson, from Vancouver, B.C., had 30 points (14 goals, 16 assists) while playing all 58 regular-season games for Prince George last year, many of which came while skating on the same line as his older brother and team captain Ben. The younger brother added nine points in 17 playoff games as the Spruce Kings won their first-ever Fred Page Cup.
Providence College is a Division I NCAA program located in Providence, R.I. and playing in the Hockey East conference, competing against Boston College, Boston University, UConn, Maine, UMass, UMass-Lowell, Merrimack, New Hampshire, Northeastern and Vermont.
The team won their first-ever NCAA title in 2015, defeating Boston University in the championship game and has appeared in the Frozen Four tournament for six straight years.
NHL alums from the Friars program include, Boston Bruins forward Noel Acciari, Pittsburgh Penguins forward and Surrey Eagles alum Brandon Tanev and longtime NHLers Tom Fitzgerald, Hal Gill, Chris Terreri and Chris Therien.
Last year’s Providence team featured a handful of former BCHL players, including Vincent Desharnais (Chilliwack Chiefs), Scott Conway (Penticton Vees), Kyle Koopman (West Kelowna Warriors) and Vimal Sukumaran (Chilliwack).
Poisson is the only BCHL player from last season to commit to the Friars. Incoming Surrey Eagles defenceman Cade Alami and Wenatchee Wild forward Scott Young are committed to Providence for next season.
