The Selkirk College Men’s Hockey program is pleased to announce a playing commitment from forward Tyler Kerner (Taber, AB) to attend Selkirk College and compete for the Saints beginning in the 2014/15 B.C. Intercollegiate Hockey League season.
Kerner is a 5-foot-11, 205 pound winger who spent the last three seasons in the Alberta Junior Hockey League playing with the Lloydminster Bobcats, Drumheller Dragons and Olds Grizzlys. He split the 2013/14 campaign between Drumheller and Olds, where he scored once while adding nine assists and 85 penalty minutes in 36 regular season and playoff games. Over the course of his Junior A career, Kerner scored nine goals and totaled 32 points and 255 penalty minutes in 112 AJHL games.
“Tyler is a hard-working, physical winger who plays the game with lots of energy and competes hard,” says Saints head coach Jeff Dubois. “He really fits the profile of the type of player we were looking to add to what is shaping up as a very skilled group. We see Tyler being a guy who sets a physical tone for us and who makes himself and his line difficult to play against, particularly versus top players on other teams.”
Kerner plans to enter Selkirk’s Business Administration program.
“I’m very excited to start my post-secondary career with the Saints and join a winning organization,” says Kerner, who describes himself as playing a physical, simple, role game while taking pride in taking care of his own zone first. “I think of myself as a leader who is willing to do whatever it takes to win. I work very well beneath the crease protecting the puck while trying to find players to set up in the offensive zone.”
“I’m looking forward to moving to the community of Castlegar, as it reminds me of the town I was raised in. The small classes are also a huge benefit, knowing that there will be more attention to help me get the most out of my schooling. My academic goal this year will be to achieve a GPA of 3.5 or higher. On the ice, I want to develop my game while helping my team capture a third straight BCIHL championship.”
Olds Grizzlys head coach Brett Hopfe expects Kerner to be a key energy forward for the Saints.
“Tyler is a tremendous player who buys into every role he is put into,” Hopfe explains. “He was a late pick-up for us this season and he instantly made an impact both on and off the ice. Tyler is a true leader and we’re very excited that he will have an opportunity to continue his career at the college level.”
Kerner is the Saints’ ninth commitment for the 2014/15 season, joining forwards Ryan Edwards (Beaver Valley, KIJHL), Jamie Vlanich (Nelson Leafs, KIJHL), Alex Milligan (Peninsula Panthers, VIJHL), Matt Martin (Ontario Avalanche, WSHL) and Connor Beauchemin (Castlegar Rebels, KIJHL), as well as defencemen Curtis Toneff (Campbell River Storm, VIJHL) and Danny Vlanich (Surrey Eagles, BCHL), and goaltender Steven Glass (Nipawin Hawks, SJHL).