Okotoks, AB ? The Okotoks Oilers of the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL) are proud to announce that 2000-born forward Zane Kindrachuk (Calgary, Alberta) has committed to the Niagara University Purple Eagles.
Located in Lewiston, New York, the Purple Eagles play in the NCAA?s Atlantic Hockey Division under third year Head Coach Jason Lammers. The Purple Eagles have won three Conference Championship and have participated in four NCAA Tournaments with their most recent appearance in 2013.
Kindrachuk, 20, in his third season in the AJHL with the Oilers, registered 59 points (27 goals, 32 assists) in 54 games played during the 2019-20 regular season
Zane has spent all of his Junior A career with the green and gold, accumulating 121 points (51 goals, 70 assists) in 164 games played. During his time in the post-season, he has helped the Oilers reach the South Division Final & AJHL Final, in that time scoring 8 points (1 goal, 7 assists) in 22 Inter Pipeline Cup playoff games.
Oilers Head Coach / General Manager / Director of Hockey Development Tyler Deis says Kindrachuk?s work ethic and hockey IQ has helped lead him to this point in his career and knows he can count on him in any situation on and off the ice.
?Zane makes his entire line better and helps them strive to be at their best on every shift of the game,? he says. ?Whether it?s a key situation in the offensive or defensive zone, power play, penalty kill, or at any vital moment, Zane has the confidence and skills to help us through any scenario. We know he?s going to do the same for Niagara when he steps onto campus and puts on that NCAA jersey for the first time.?
Kindrachuk has also showcased his talents on the world stage as he was a member of Team AJHL during the Junior Club World Cup in Sochi, Russia during the Summer of 2019.
Zane is looking forward to the next step in his career when the time arrives. ?I couldn?t be more excited and grateful to commit to Niagara,? he says. ?I?m fortunate to get the opportunity to play college hockey while working towards my Business Degree.?
?I can?t thank my support group enough for all they?ve done for me in my hockey career, from my family to my billet family, coaches, teammates and the entire Oilers organization.?
The Oilers would like to congratulate Zane and his family on his achievement and them for their dedication to our program and the Foothills community both on and off the ice.
Kindrachuk is the twelfth Oiler on the 2019-20 roster committed to an NCAA Division I Institution along with:
- Ashton Abel (Boston University)
- Carson Dyck (Penn State University)
- Louis Jamernik (University of North Dakota)
- Dylan James (University of North Dakota)
- Noah Kim (United States Air Force Falcons)
- Brett Moravec (University of Wisconsin)
- Brayden Morrison (University of Wisconsin)
- Eric Parker (Bowling Green University)
- Marc Pasemko (Colorado College)
- Coltan Wilkie (Colorado College)
- Jack Works (University of Denver)