(Spruce Grove, AB) – The Spruce Grove Saints are proud to announce 20-year-old defenseman Bryan McAndrews has committed to the York University Lions, who compete in the Ontario University Athletics West Division, within Canadian University Sports (U-Sport) for the upcoming season.
After playing three seasons with the Western Hockey League’s Tri City Americans, the 6’5″, 230-pound defenseman from Edmonton, AB joined the Saints for his final year of junior hockey. He was a calming, veteran presence on the backend this past season for Spruce Grove, appearing in 55 combined regular season and playoff games, tallying 21 points.
The York University Lions finished fourth in their division this past season, going 6-8-2. The University is located at the northern tip of Toronto, Ontario.
Saints General Manager Rob Sklaruk spoke about his big blueliner heading off to school, saying “Bryan was a big factor in our success this season, he was an anchor on the backend. I am very proud and extremely happy to see Bryan continue his hockey career at the next level. McAndrews has a skilled ability to defend and play the game with pace, I wish Bryan continued success at York University.”
Saints Head Coach Bram Stephen weighed in on McAndrews heading off to U-Sport, saying “Bryan’s growth this past year was exceptional to watch. He plays intelligently and has an emerging offensive game that I’m excited to watch grow at York University. Above all else, Bryan comes to work each day and is a great teammate.”
An excited McAndrews spoke of his commitment to the Lions, saying “I am beyond thrilled to have committed to play at York University. Playing at the U-Sport level while getting an amazing education was my main goal for this past season. I cannot thank the Saints organization enough for all they have done to help me make the jump. I am looking forward to the next chapter of my career as a student-athlete at York University.”
McAndrews joins Will Holland (Babson College), Cade Mason (Long Island University), Logan Acheson (Bemidji State), Caiden Gault (Ferris State), Jayden Davis (Notre Dame), Luigi Benincasa (Ferris State), Niko Jovanovic (Notre Dame), Liam Watkins (Nebraska-Omaha), Brett Pfoh (Bowling Green), Breck McKinley (Bowling Green) and Braden Virtue (Carleton University) as committed players to post-secondary education from this past season.
The entire Saints organization would like to congratulate Bryan and his family on his commitment and wish him the best of luck at the next level.