The Brooks Bandits of the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL) are proud to announce that 1999-born defenceman Jarrod Gourley (Calgary, AB) has committed to attend and play for Arizona State University.
Located in Tempe, Arizona, the Sun Devils will begin an independent Division I National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) hockey schedule next season, with the intention of joining a conference in the 2017-18 campaign. The team plays under sixth-year head coach Greg Powers.
“Jarrod has worked hard in his first season of junior hockey, developing very quickly and becoming a key part of our team,” said Bandits head coach and general manager Ryan Papaioannou. “He is extremely mature for his age, and I believe that is what has allowed him to have such early success.”
“I am honoured to have committed to as prestigious a school as ASU,” said Gourley. “The school offers many educational opportunities as well as a chance to pursue my hockey dreams.”
Gourley, 16, joined the Bandit organization in late June after winning the Most Valuable Defence award in the Alberta Minor Midget Hockey League (AMMHL) with the Calgary Buffalo Hockey Association (CBHA) Rangers, with which he scored 32 points (9 goals, 23 assists) in 29 games, with 62 penalty minutes.
The signing came not long after the 6’2”, 195lb defenceman was invited to Hockey Canada’s development camp for the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge. Not only was Gourley one of only four Albertan defencemen invited to the camp, but he was later named to the roster for Team Canada White at the annual event, winning a gold medal in a thrilling final win over Russia.
So far this season, Gourley has dressed in 20 AJHL games, recording 4 points (1 goal, 3 assists) and 32 penalty minutes.
“Jarrod’s choice to play in the NCAA fits well with the culture of our hockey team and his future with ASU is bright,” Papaioannou added. “Jarrod is the first player from our league to make a commitment to ASU in their Division I era and we are looking forward to many more AJHL players going down this path in the future.”
“I want to thank all of those who have helped me get to where I am today,” Gourley added, “and the Brooks Bandits organization for its support and encouragement.”
The Bandits would like to congratulate Jarrod on this exciting opportunity, and look forward to continuing his development as a player en route to the next level of competition.
Gourley is the eleventh player on the current Bandits roster committed to an NCAA Division I institution, joining:
• Shane Bear (University of Massachusetts)
• Kyler Nachtigall (University of Massachusetts)
• Parker Foo (Union College)
• Derek Lodermeier (Army)
• Tristan Thompson (University of Alaska-Fairbanks)
• Austin Wright (Rochester Institute of Technology)
• Cale Makar (University of Massachusetts)
• Jeff Malott (Cornell University)
• Joe O’Connor (Quinnipiac University)
• Jared Cockrell (Colgate University)
The Bandits host their final two home games of the 2015 calendar year this weekend; Friday night against the Okotoks Oilers, and Saturday night against the Fort McMurray Oil Barons. Fans are encouraged to honour National Ugly Christmas Sweater Day on Friday night; all fans dressed up will be entered to win a prize pack including a game-used, signed Josh Davies goalie stick. Tickets are available online at tickets.brooksbandits.ca, by phone at (403) 501-0122, and in-person at the Centennial Regional Arena.