The Salmon Arm SilverBacks have announced that 17-year- old goaltender Angus Redmond has committed to play for the NCAA’s Michigan Tech Huskies in the fall of 2015.
The Langley native and rookie BCHL net-minder became a hit with his teammates and fans this season after joining the organization in January from the PIJHL’s Port Moody Panthers.
Angus’ cool demeanor and natural athleticism helped establish his status as a quality BCHL goaltender.
SilverBacks General Manager Troy Mick says Redmond’s growth as a person and athlete over the past few months has been phenomenal.
“There’s no way that we could have asked for any more out of Angus; his play down the stretch for our club made him a difference maker and, for a player to go from Junior ‘B’ to an NCAA Div I scholarship in just four months shows just how remarkable this young man really is.”
Redmond finished the season with a record of 4-3-1, a GAA of 2.59 and a .911 save percentage while earning two post-season starts against the Penticton Vees.
Mick says that playoff experience should go a long way for the young net-minder.
“We liked his game against the Vees and it’s become clear that Angus is going to be a premier player in our league, and it’s nice to see that has also been recognized by the staff at Michigan Tech.”
In other SilverBacks news, 19-year-old centre Steven Iacobellis has committed to the University of Massachusetts Minutemen.
Iacobellis, a Burnaby native and BCHL veteran of more than 150 games, joined the SilverBacks in November before posting 15 goals and 42 points while pushing the ’Backs into the post-season.
Steven played on the ’Backs top line along with Alex Gillies and Brandon Mistal. Mick says the arrival of Iacobellis really sparked the Salmon Arm offence.
“Steven is one of those players that has the ability to make the people around him better, and that’s what we saw from him on a night-to-night basis this season. Not only did he lead the majority of our offense late in the season, but he took over as a leader in our dressing room and we know that his work ethic certainly rubbed off on his teammates.”
Mick notes that Iacobellis was awarded the Unsung Hero award this season, and he believes Steven’s game should transition well into the NCAA with UMASS.
