The Lloydminster Bobcats are pleased to announce that forward Kris Spriggs has committed to Niagara University of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).
“I’d like to thank Niagara University for the opportunity to continue my hockey career at the college level,” said Spriggs. “It’s been a long time waiting for this moment and I couldn’t be happier. I would also like to thank my coaches and teammates for all their support and of course my family back home.”
Spriggs came to the Bobcats via trade in late November after two and a half seasons with the Nipawin Hawks of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL). After scoring 14 goals to go with 11 assists for 25 points in 23 SJHL games this season, the 20 year-old has continued to fill the scoresheet in Lloydminster. In 20 games with the Bobcats, the 6’0”, 185 pound winger has now compiled 15 goals and six assists for 21 points, including a recently-snapped 10-game point streak in which he compiled 12 goals and four assists for 16 points.
“Kris has come in and been a dominant offensive player for us right from the start,” said Bobcats Head Coach and General Manager Gord Thibodeau. “He is a very coachable player, and we’re extremely excited for him to be able to achieve one of his athletic and academic goals.”
The Edmonton native will head to Niagara University after the completion of his final season of junior hockey, which will include an appearance in the 2016 RBC Cup with the host Bobcats.
Niagara University is located in Lewiston, New York, a community in Western New York near Niagara Falls. The Niagara Purple Eagles are an NCAA Division I ice hockey team, competing in the Atlantic Hockey Association, which is comprised of 11 other men’s hockey programs. The men’s hockey program is one of 18 Division I varsity level teams on campus at the university, and the team first competed at the current level in 1996-97. Since then, the Purple Eagles have won three conference tournament championships (2000, 2004, 2008), and have made four NCAA tournament appearances (2000, 2004, 2008, 2013). Current Bobcats assistant coach Kris Wiebe is an alumni of the hockey program, having played for the Purple Eagles in his collegiate career.
Including Spriggs, the 2015-16 Bobcats now boast eight players who have already committed to NCAA programs:
Noah Bauld (Cornell University), Kevin Darrar (Holy Cross), Cole Josefchak (Colorado College), Christian Lloyd (Sacred Heart), Alex Pernitsky (Colorado College), Nick Quillan (Colgate University), Kris Spriggs (Niagara University) and Troy Van Tetering (University of Alaska-Fairbanks).
The Bobcats have now committed 27 players to College or University programs since the 2010-11 season, providing graduating players with opportunities to further pursue their athletic and academic careers.