Sherwood Park, AB: The Sherwood Park Crusaders are pleased to announce that forward Will Zapernick (1999) has committed to the University of Vermont (NCAA Division I) for the 2020-21 season.
?Will (Zapernick) has been a major contributor to the development and growth of our organization,? said General Manager Kyle Chase. ?His character and leadership on and off the ice and will be difficult to replace. Vermont is getting a first class player and person and a first class family.?
The University of Vermont is an NCAA Division I program that plays in the Hockey East Conference. The Catamounts are coached by Todd Woodcroft who was recently hired by the university. Last season, they finished with a 5-23-6 record.
Zapernick joined the Crusaders in the 2017-18 season and played in 174 games over three seasons. The Edmonton native scored 75 goals and 184 points, which is the seventh most in franchise history.
This past season, Zapernick was an alternate captain – as well as in the 2018-19 season – and finished with a career high 34 goals and 88 points. He was also named the Crusaders 2020 Unsung Hero and represented Team AJHL at the Junior Club World Cup in Sochi, Russia.
Zapernick is the eleventh Crusader to earn a post-secondary commitment, joining Arjun Atwal (University of Calgary) Jacob Kendall (Red Deer College), Carter Gylander (Colgate University), Ty Mueller (University of Nebraska-Omaha), Jarred White, Jacob Franczak (University of Alabama-Huntsville), Reid Irwin, Carter Savoie, and Michael Benning (University of Denver).
The Crusaders would like to congratulate Will and his family on this outstanding achievement and wish him the best of luck in the future.