BROOKS, AB (June 16, 2016) – The Brooks Bandits of the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL) are elated to announce that 1995-born goaltender Josh Davies (Guelph, ON) has committed to attend and play for State University of New York (SUNY) Plattsburgh, beginning in the 2016-17 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) season.
Located in Plattsburgh, New York, on the shore of Lake Champlain at the New York-Vermont border, the Cardinals compete in the NCAA Division III State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) under 27-year head coach Bob Emery, with whom the team has won two national championships and fifteen conference championships.
“I’m honoured to be able to continue to play hockey at SUNY Plattsburgh,” said Davies. “Like Brooks, it’s a great organization with a history of success that I’m happy to be a part of.
“I would like to thank all the Bandits staff, teammates, and fans, as well as my family, for all the support along the way,” he added.
The 20-year old goaltender joined the Bandits in 2014, after being recruited from Millbrook School in the New England Prep School Ice Hockey Association. In his rookie campaign in the AJHL, Davies posted a 24-6-1 record in 34 games, a 2.63 goals against average and .905 save percentage, and was named to the AJHL South Division All-Rookie team as a unanimous selection. He also backstopped the Bandits in 16 playoff games as the team won an AJHL South Division championship.
This past season, Davies led the AJHL both in wins and goals against average, notching a 31-5-2 record in 39 games, a 2.18 GAA, and a .910 save percentage, while also winning the organization’s annual “Fan Favourite” award as voted on by fans at Bandits home games.
“This is a great situation for Josh as Plattsburgh has a top end hockey program,” said Bandits head coach and general manager Ryan Papaioannou. “He was a big contributor to our team success over the last two seasons and will move on as one of the all-time fan favourites.
“Josh was a competitor every day and had great practice habits, along with being one of the most mature individuals I have ever coached,” he added. “He handled adversity extremely well and was everything you would look for in a perfect teammate; Josh will do nothing but continue his on ice success at Plattsburgh.”
Davies becomes the 17th player on the final 2015-16 Bandits roster to be committed to an NCAA post-secondary institution.