Former Merritt Centennials defenseman Kameran Crawford is going to continue his hockey career at Selkirk College in Castlegar, B.C. He will begin playing for the Saints in September of this year. Selkirk College competes in the British Columbia Intercollegiate Hockey League (BCIHL).
The 20-year-old Crawford played two seasons with the Centennials from 2009-2011. During that time, he picked up 20 points and 97 penalty minutes in 90 games. The rugged blueliner was noted for his solid defensive play and quiet, hard-working demeanor.
Crawford, who is originally from Penticton, B.C., spent the 2011-12 season playing for the Osoyoos Coyotes of the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League (KIJHL). He led the team in scoring (18 goals and 46 assists for 74 points in 46 regular season games) and was honored as the league’s top defenseman.
Osoyoos head coach Ken Law predicts a bright future for Crawford at Selkirk.
“Kameran was to our club [last year] what I imagine Paul Coffey was to the Edmonton Oilers during their dominating years. He was an individual you could count on at both ends of the rink. What made Kameran so valuable was how he could control the tempo of a game and raise his teammates’ play up to his level.”
Law went on to add, “Kameran was a workhorse for us all season long and logged 40 minutes per game. He could always be counted on to score big goals, or shut down other teams’ top lines.”
Crawford joins a Saints’ hockey program that includes on its roster former Cowichan Valley Capital Logan Proulx and former Merritt Centennial Thomas Hardy.
“We’re thrilled that Kam decided to begin his college hockey career at Selkirk, particularly given the number of programs in Canada and the United States that were after him,” says Saints’ head coach Jeff Dubois. “Kam adds size, mobility and skill to an already talented group of defensemen, and he will be an impact player in the BCIHL from day one.”
As for Crawford, who lists puck-handling, a hard shot and offensive instincts amongst his strengths, he says, “I’m excited to go to Selkirk College and I’m looking forward to being a part of an up-and-coming hockey program and living in a great town. My goals are to be successful in my studies, meet a bunch of people, and make a run at a championship.”
