Trail Smoke Eaters captain Braeden Tuck will be joining a host of former BCHLers next year as he has committed to play for the Sacred Heart University Pioneers for the 2019-20 season.
Tuck is currently in his third season in the league and leads the Smoke Eaters in goals and is also tied for the team lead in points with 14 (7-7-14). To date, the 20-year-old from Calgary, Alta. has played 122 regular-season games, all but one with Trail, and put up 31 goals and 48 assists for 79 points.
“Thank you to everyone in the Trail Smoke Eaters organization and everyone who has helped me get to this point,” said Tuck in a release from the Smoke Eaters website. “I am extremely grateful for this opportunity and I am excited for the future.”
“Our entire organization couldn’t be more of proud of Braeden for signing an NCAA Division I scholarship,” said Trail head Coach Jeff Tambellini in the same release. “He is the leader of our team on and off the ice and his skill set, character and determination will make him an outstanding college hockey player.”
The Pioneers roster this year boasts eight BCHL alums, six of which are eligible to return next year, including Jason Cotton, Austin McIlmurray, Alex Bates, Marcus Joseph, Colin Bernard and Ryan Steele. Former Penticton Vee Mike Lee and former Powell River King Brett Magnus are currently playing their senior seasons.
Sacred Heart is located in Fairfield, Conn. and play out of the Atlantic Hockey conference.
