Colin Grannary at the CJHL Prospects Game a week ago. (Photo courtesy of Garrett James Photography)
It’s been quite a week for 18-year-old Merritt Centennials forward Colin Grannary.
In a span of seven days, the team’s leading scorer participated in the CJHL Prospects Game (where he earned Player of the Game honours for Team West), then announced that he had signed a letter of commitment to play for the NCAA Division 1 University of Nebraska-Omaha Mavericks beginning in September of 2017.
These two most recent developments come just one week after Grannary was named to NHL Central Scouting’s mid-term rankings list of North American skaters.
This year’s Prospects Game was held at the South Surrey Arena on Jan. 26. It attracted a capacity crowd of over 1,600, including 150 scouts representing all 30 NHL teams.
The annual event showcases the best draft-eligible Junior A players from across Canada, as determined by the CJHL and NHL Central Scouting.
Team West’s only goal was scored by Grannary at 1:58 of the first period, with assists going to Jeffrey Stewart of the Surrey Eagles and Justin Young from the Alberta Junior Hockey League’s Whitecourt Wolverines.
The 2016 Prospects Game saw Team East defeat Team West 3-1, despite being outshot 44-19.
Team West’s only goal was scored by Grannary at 1:58 of the first period, with assists going to Jeffrey Stewart of the Surrey Eagles and Justin Young from the Alberta Junior Hockey League’s Whitecourt Wolverines.
Team West was coached by the Salmon Arm Silverback’s Brandon West, along with the very first captain of the Vancouver Canucks — the legendary Orland Kurtenbach.
Grannary currently sits sixth in BCHL scoring with 25 goals and 44 assists for 66 points in 47 games.
At the beginning of this week, the Centennials issued a press release stating that Grannary, a native of Delta, has committed to the University of Nebraska-Omaha for the 2017-18 season.
Grannary currently sits sixth in BCHL scoring with 25 goals and 44 assists for 66 points in 47 games.
As the name would indicate, UNO is located in Omaha, Nebraska, and has a student population in excess of 15,000. It’s sports teams compete in the Summit Conference of the NCHC.
Maverick hockey is played at the brand-new, state-of-the-art Baxter Arena, which has a seating capacity of 7,500.
The 2015-16 Mavericks men’s hockey team is enjoying an excellent season with a combined record of 16-9-1. The current roster includes four former BCHL players: forwards Riley Alferd (Penticton), David Pope (West Kelowna) and Luke Nogard (Powell River), along with Prince George netminder Kirk Thompson.
Recent Centennials’ acquisition Zach Court committed to the University of Nebraska-Omaha earlier this season, while still a member of the Nanaimo Clippers. The 18-year-old from Winnipeg will also become a Maverick in the fall of 2017.
