Selkirk College Saints Add Leadership to Blueline
By Bob Hall
The four-time defending British Columbia Intercollegiate Hockey League (BCIHL) champion Selkirk College Saints are building towards the upcoming season with the signing of Jackson Bruce-Fuoco.
An Ontario native, Bruce-Fuoco has committed for the 2016-2017 season and beyond. A skilled two-way defenseman that possess exceptional leadership, Bruce-Fuoco played for the Creston Valley Thunder Cats of the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League (KIJHL) in the 2015-2016 season.
“We are very happy to have Jackson join our program for the 2016-17 season,” says Selkirk College Saints head coach Brent Heaven.
“I was able to see Jackson play quite a bit over his last season in Creston and believe he has all the tools necessary to be a contributor at the BCIHL level.”
Bruce-Fuoco’s strength is strong positional play and a great first pass. In the KIJHL regular season campaign, the defenceman scored eight goals and added 21 assists which was best amongst blueliners on the Thundercats. He finished his junior hockey career as the team’s captain.
“We’re very excited for Jackson to have the opportunity to move on and play for a winning program at Selkirk College,” says Creston head coach and former Selkirk College bench boss Jeff Dubois.
“As a person, he’s one of the best guys I’ve worked with. His commitment level to his team and teammates are tremendous, and he brings a great attitude to the rink every day. On the ice he’s mobile, skilled, and he can contribute in all three zones. He’s earned this commitment with an incredible amount of hard work and the Thunder Cats wish him all the best in the future.”
Prior to playing in the KIJHL, Bruce-Fuoco spent time in the Central Canadian Hockey League, a Junior A league out of eastern Ontario.
Last season the Selkirk College Saints captured their fourth straight BCIHL crown when they defeated the Trinity Western University Spartans in the league’s championship series before a packed house at the Castlegar & District Community Complex.
Two key members of last year’s blueline brigade have graduated — captain Tanner Lenting and Arie Postmus — but Bruce-Fuoco joins a Saints defence unit bursting with talent.
The BCIHL season will get underway in September where the Saints start pursuit of their fifth title.
