Victoria Royals franchise alumni Jamie Crooks and Jesse Craige captured the 15th University Cup with the University of Alberta Golden Bears as Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) men’s hockey champions yesterday in Halifax, NS.
Crooks recorded one assist to help the Golden Bears to a 6-3 victory over the University of New Brunswick Varsity Reds in the championship game yesterday for the team’s second consecutive title. The 23-year-old notched two assists in three games during the University Cup and tallied 10 points (6g-4a) in 21 games for the Golden Bears in his second CIS season.
The Vermillion, AB native was named the Royals’ 2011-12 Most Valuable Player and recorded 193 points (110g-83a) in his five-year career with the franchise (2009-2013).
Craige, a defenceman from Edmonton, AB, was named to the University Cup All-Star Team after the Golden Bears’ win yesterday and registered 19 points (5g-14a) in 26 games during his fifth and final season with Alberta. Earlier in the week, the 26-year-old was named CIS Defenceman of the year and First Team All-Canadian.
Craige spent five seasons (2005-2010) in the WHL and scored 57 points (9g-48a) in 102 games played with the Chilliwack Bruins.
Teal Burns, a former Victoria Grizzly and Everett Silvertip, and Royals Keith Hamilton, helped the University of Guelph Gryphons to the bronze medal.
Thirty former WHL players earned medals at the 2015 CIS Men’s Hockey Championship
