Brad Bakken is back for another go of hockey at the Langley Events Centre.
Bakken, who played his junior hockey for the Langley Chiefs from 2007 to 2010, is joining the Trinity Western Spartans hockey club.
The 6-3, 200-pound defenceman played with Mount Royal University of the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference last season, registering 10 assists in 17 games as the Cougars won the league title.
In his three seasons with the Chiefs, Bakken had six goals and 34 assists, plus 222 penalty minutes in 161 games.
“Brad is a player that I believe will truly come into his own here at Trinity Western, which will allow his offensive gifts to mature,” said Spartans coach Dwayne Lowdermilk.
“I’m very excited to show someone like Brad, who is excellent defensively, that he can also excel in the offensive zone.”
Bakken is excited for the opportunity.
“With Dwayne Lowdermilk behind the bench, I know my game can only improve,” he said. “Dwayne’s love for the game exceeds his vast knowledge of the sport but it’s that knowledge I hope to soak up and apply on the ice in the upcoming season.”
Bakken is one of two new recruits for the Spartans, as they also landed Abbotsford’s Aaron Riemersma, a 6-2, 185-pound forward who finished last season in junior B with the Aldergrove Kodiaks.
He had one goal and eight assists, plus 127 penalty minutes, in 33 games last season.
“Aaron is a solid up and down winger who plays with grit and is responsible in his own zone,” Lowdermilk said.
“He’s a good skater and he plays an aggressive style. He plays well in both the offensive and defensive zones and will be a great asset for our team this season.”
The Spartans open their preseason on Saturday, Sept. 24 when they host the Okanagan College Coyotes. Game time is 1 p.m. at the Langley Events Centre.
