Alberni Valley Bulldogs defenceman Frank Riddle has committed to attend Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo, Ont. starting in September 2011.
Riddle will play for the Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks of the Ontario University Athletic (OUA) conference which also is a member of the Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS), the top Canadian University league in Canada.
A St. Catharines, Ont. native, Riddle played two seasons for the Bulldogs in 2009-2010 and 2010-2011. The 20-year-old was best known for his commitment, community service, hard work and dedication He posted four goals and 12 assists in 55 games during 2009-2010 and solidified himself as one of the Bulldogs premier defencemen. In 2010-2011, Riddle overcame several severe injuries to post seven assists in 33 games.
“Frank is another one of those great success stories in Alberni,” said Bulldogs coach Paul Esdale. “No one could have predicted the wave of injuries Frank sustained this season, but to his credit his dedication and will to succeed has helped him preserve through these obstacles and allow him to get to the next level. We are extremely proud of him and wish him well at Laurier.”
Riddle had several opportunities in the US and Canada to attend University but decided on Laurier.
“I wanted to receive a good, well-recognized education and be a part of a well-respected hockey program,” said Riddle. “Laurier offers both. I have been accepted into the BBA Honours Business Administration Program at Laurier. I am interested in business, and Laurier's business program is very well recognized.”
Riddle was a fan favourite in Alberni and was respected by his coaches and teammates, so much so that he was named one of the Assistant Captains this past season.
” I loved playing in Alberni and I feel really fortunate to have been a part of the organization for two years. I want to thank my billets the Yaredics, my coaches, teammates, the fans and everyone in the organization. Port Alberni will always be in my heart and I will come back often.”
At the end of this season Riddle has also signed an amateur tryout agreement with the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs of the Central Hockey League. Riddle will stay with the team through the end of the regular season and playoffs and will gain valuable experience to prepare him for the CIS.
The Bulldogs expect to have more announcements regarding player commitments to schools in the coming weeks as several players are close to making final decisions.
