PHOTO: Tami Quan
WEST KELOWNA, B.C. – The West Kelowna Warriors Junior Hockey Club is pleased to announce forward Michael Salandra (’03) has committed to Quinnipiac University.
Salandra, 20, is in his second season with the Warriors, posting 14 goals and 20 assists for 34 points in 34 games played this season while compiling 31 goals and 72 points in 87 career BCHL games. The 5’10”, 187-pound forward has been red-hot as of late, entering the league’s All-Star break on an eight-game point streak with goals in six of those eight contests.
“We are very excited for Michael,” said Warriors Head Coach and General Manager Simon Ferguson, “He’s put in the work over the last two years to earn his scholarship and be one of the top forwards in the BCHL.”
The Pleasantville, New York native joins a Bobcats program that has featured many BCHL players over its time as well as a former Warriors defender in Charles-Alexis Legault, who won a National Championship with Quinnipiac last season.
“I’m extremely excited to commit to Quinnipiac University,” commented Salandra, “Playing Division I hockey has always been a goal for me and to be given the opportunity to play for such a great program is an honour.”
“Thank you to everyone that has helped me get to this point,” Salandra continued, “Including the West Kelowna Warriors organization and coaching staff.”
The Bobcats play their games out of M&T Bank Arena in Hamden, Connecticut and are coached by Rand Pecknold. Quinnipiac boasts plenty of BCHL talent on their roster, currently having 8 league alumni on this year’s squad.
West Kelowna will return from the 11-day BCHL All-Star break on Friday, January 26th with a trip to the Nicola Valley to take on the Merritt Centennials. Puck drop is slated for 7:05 PM with the game broadcasted live on AM 1150 as well as streamed online on FloHockey.
