TISDALE — A Tisdale-based hockey player has committed to the University of Prince Edward Island beginning in the fall.
Nick Shumlanski becomes the fourth member of the 2017-18 Humboldt Broncos to announce a post-secondary commitment.
“I was really interested to go out east all winter,” said Shumlanski in an interview with The Guardian.
The 21-year-old joins the UPEI program after appearing in 175 junior hockey games split between the Flin Flon Bombers and the Broncos.
The 5’7” forward racked up 50 goals, 98 assists, 148 points and 213 penalty minutes in parts of five seasons in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League.
In 43 playoff games Shumlanski added eight goals, 17 assists, 25 points and 26 penalty minutes.
“[He’s] very quick, turns on a dime, he competes very hard, plays with sandpaper. He plays with an edge,” UPEI head coach Forbes MacPherson told The Guardian.
“We’re looking to try and get back to a style of play that we’ve had in previous years that I felt we got a little bit away from last year,” MacPherson said. “All of the characteristics of [Nick’s] game fit the mould we’re looking for.”
Of course the jump from junior A to university sports is a significant one and Shumlanski admitted to The Guardian that it would be tough to leave home.
“It’s harder now to move so far from home because I am going to miss my family a lot and my friends,” he said. “It’s a big step in my life.”
Shumlanski is expected to move to Charlottetown in late August.
“I’m excited to play again,” he said. “It will be nice to get back on the ice for some real hockey.”
