Selkirk bolsters roster with addition of ex-Nelson Leaf Connor McLaughlin
By The Nelson Daily Sports
Ex-Leaf Connor McLaughlin is coming back to . .. the West Kootenays.
McLaughin, traded two seasons ago at the deadline to the Fernie Ghostriders by former Nelson coach Chris Shaw, has commited to Selkirk Saints for the 2012-13 B.C. Intercollegiate Hockey League season.
“Connor is a big, strong forward who has proven himself as a consistent goal scorer during his junior career,” said Saints head coach Jeff Dubois.
“He has all the physical tools to be a productive player at the college level and we’re very pleased to add his production to our line-up.”
McLaughlin joins the Saints after leading the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League’s Ghostriders to the Kootenay Conference Finals.
The 21-year old averaged better than a goal a game as Fernie lost to the Beaver Valley Nitehawks in five games.
McLaughlin’s 17 goals in 16 postseason games tied him for the league lead with Hawks rookie forward Craig Martin.
He was also the recipient of the Ghostriders’ regular season and playoff MVP awards after scoring 44 times and adding 30 assists in a total of 51 games played.
The 6-foot-1 winger he suited up in 111 games over three seasons in Nelson and helped the Leafs capture the 2009 KIJHL Championship.
He also netted three points in four games for the Trail Smoke Eaters as an AP during the 2010/11 season.
“I’m excited to be a part of a hockey team that is looking to build into a contender this upcoming season and also to be able to continue my academic studies,” said McLaughlin, who describes himself as a power forward who will go to the dirty areas and can put the puck in the net.
“I’m looking forward to helping the team better itself this year along with the other new recruits. I also look forward to playing for Coach Dubois and providing whatever leadership role I can as we work towards a BCIHL championship.”
“Connor is a leader on and off the ice,” explained former Fernie coach Will Verner.
“He made a huge impact on our younger players and helped our club reach the league sem-finals this season. He has the ability to score (17 goals in 16 playoff games) and he’s a power forward who plays hard. Connor will do very well for Selkirk both on the ice and in the classroom.”
McLaughlin is the 10th player to commit to the Saints for the 2012/13 season.
He joins forwards Thomas Hardy (Aldergrove, PIJHL), Jackson Garrett (Comox Valley, VIJHL), Cole Thomson (Kerry Park, VIJHL), Scott Swiston (Creston, KIJHL), Kyle Golz (Grandview, PIJHL), Matthew Luongo (Aldergrove, PIJHL) and Brodie Gibbon (Oceanside, VIJHL), as well as defenceman Dylan Smith (Richmond, PIJHL) and goaltender Stephen Wolff (Oceanside, VIJHL).
