Merritt Centennials goalie Austin Roden has played his entire career in the province of British Columbia. Growing up on Vancouver Island, he played his minor hockey in the area and then joined the Nanaimo Clippers for the 2016-17 season. It wasn’t until last year when he was acquired by the Centennials midseason that he left the island for his hockey home. Next year will be a little different because Roden will be heading south as he has announced his commitment to the University of Nebraska-Omaha Mavericks for the 2019-20 season.
The 20-year-old has had a successful year in Merritt in his first full season with the team, posting the third-most wins in the BCHL with 27, a save percentage of .912 (tied for sixth in the league), a goals-against average of 2.95 (tied for 10th) and two shutouts. Last season, split between the Clippers and Centennials, Roden wrote his name in the BCHL record books by posting the fifth-highest save percentage in a single season with a mark of .931.
The Victoria native was also recently named the final BCHL Player of the Week of the regular season.
The Mavericks are a part of the National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC), competing against Colorado College, Denver, Miami-Ohio, North Dakota, St. Cloud State and Western Michigan.
Nebraska-Omaha’s 2018-19 roster features a handful of former BCHL talent, including Penticton Vees alums Riley Alferd and Taylor Ward as well as former Victoria Grizzlies forward Cole Pickup.
Current BCHLers committed to the Mavericks include Lukas Sillinger of the Vees and Ryan Brushett of the Powell River Kings.
