Two Cowichan Valley Capitals graduates have committed to play hockey next season with universities in Toronto.
Ben Verrall, who spent three years patrolling the blueline for the Caps, will move on to York University, while Mitch Skapski, a trade-deadline addition to the roster in February, will join Ryerson University.
Verrall joined the Caps early in the 2014-15 campaign and played 132 games with the team over three seasons, tallying eight goals, 29 points and 160 penalty minutes. In 10 playoff games, he added one goal and eight three points.
“Ben has been a solid defender that has made it unpleasant for opposing forwards,” Caps head coach and general manager Bob Beatty said. “He’s a physical presence with the ability to make good plays and has a good point shot. Ben has progressed every season as a result of a strong work ethic and compete level.”
York Lions head coach Chris Dennis was pleased to recruit Verrall.
“We are excited to add someone of Ben’s character and compete level,” said Chris Dennis, head coach of the York Lions. “Ben in a tenacious defender and a great teammate. We look forward to having him in our lineup next season.”
Skapski played 17 regular-season games with the Caps after coming over in a trade with the Salmon Arm Silverbacks , putting up 11 points, including seven goals. Headded a goal and an assist in four playoff contests. Skapski split his junior career between the B.C. Hockey League and Western Hockey League, playing 141 games in the BCHL with Cowichan, Salmon Arm and Chilliwack, while getting into 143 WHL contests with the Everett Silvertips, Victoria Royals and Saskatoon Blades.
“Mitch is a feisty, skilled forward that has a tremendous compete level, along with a good skill set,” Beatty said. “He’s capable of adding offence along with playing a strong 200-foot game. He has good speed and is relentless hunting pucks on the forecheck and coming back to help turn pucks over in the neutral zone and defensive zone.”
Meanwhile, the Caps have received a commitment from Delta Hockey Academy’s Ethan Scardina for the 2017-18 campaign, as announced by Scardina on Twitter on April 24.
The 2000-born, five-foot-nine, 165-pounds played 28 games for Delta’s prep team last year, recording nine goals, 12 assists and 24 penalty minutes. He also played one BCHL game as an affiliate with the Vernon Vipers.
