NIPAWIN — The Nipawin Hawks’ excellent season continues to reap rewards for their graduating players, as defenseman Carter Doerksen announced his commitment to the University of Manitoba.
“I’m super excited. It’s something I’ve been working for throughout juniors and I’m really excited for the opportunity. Just the fact that I’ll be able to earn a post-secondary education as well as playing hockey is a dream come true,” Doerksen said.
Doerksen is set to join the Manitoba Bisons after spending the past four seasons with the Hawks, serving as captain for the last two.
In 178 regular season games with the Hawks, the 21-year-old Swift Current native posted eight goals, 43 assists, 51 points and 395 penalty minutes. In 51 playoff games, Doerksen added two goals, 14 assists and 62 penalty minutes.
Doerksen becomes the second player to join the Bisons program, after fellow blueliner Thomas Lenchyshyn made the same commitment earlier this summer.
Having Lenchyshyn on campus and going through the experience together will make things a lot easier, Doerksen said.
“We’ve been figuring out our classes together and figuring out our living accommodations and what not, so it takes the stress out of that a little bit, knowing that someone else is going through it with you.”
Doerksen admitted that easiness and knowing Lenchyshyn had already committed to the U of M played a key part in his decision to make the commitment to Manitoba.
“It just seemed like a good opportunity for me to come in and play and Lenchyshyn also committed there so it was exciting to have a buddy there for sure. Other than that it just seemed like a really good opportunity, it’s a great program and it just seemed like a good fit for me.”
With Doerksen set to join the Bisons, the 21-year-old said the University of Manitoba can expect to watch a steady defenseman on the ice.
“I just think I’ll do my job, play the same sort of style I played in Nipawin, just be a hard-nosed defenseman and just do whatever I can to help the guys out.”
While Doerksen is set to play hockey, he will also be hitting the books, noting his plan is to study business with an eye on receiving a degree in finance.
The defenseman said this beginning of his life after junior hockey is thanks in large part to Hawks head coach Doug Johnson and assistant coach T.J. Millar.
“I’m forever grateful for my opportunity in Nipawin. They’ve been pretty good to me ever since I got there so I owe a lot to them.”
