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NCAA in Sodergren’s future

West Kelowna Warriors forward and Massachusetts native will be playing close to home at University of Massachusetts-Lowell River Hawks
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Forward Connor Sodergren is the third member of the 2016-17 West Kelowna Warriors who is now committed to an NCAA school.

Next season, Connor Sodergen will be playing hockey a lot closer to home.

The West Kelowna Warriors’ forward has committed to the University of Massachusetts-Lowell River Hawks for the 2017-18 NCAA campaign.

The River Hawks play out of the Hockey East conference and are off to a strong start in their season, posting an 8-4-2 record thus far in 14 games.

With the campus just minutes away from his hometown of Tewksbury, Mass., it will be much like a homecoming for the 20-year-old Sodergren.

“I’m excited for the opportunity to play at a school so close to home,” said Sodergren. “I’m thankful for everyone who has helped me get there.”

Sodergren, who is in his second season with West Kelowna, serves as one of the BCHL club’s assistant captains.

The 6-foot, 190-pound forward was a key part of the Warriors’ run to the RBC Cup national championship in 2015-16.

After registering 30 points in 58 games during the regular season, Sodergren added another seven goals and 10 assists in 35 post-season games, during the BCHL playoffs, Western Canada Cup in Estevan, SK and the Royal Bank Cup in Lloydminster, AB.

“Connor is a complete 200-foot player that is hard to play against every night,” said Warriors’ general manager and head coach Rylan Ferster, “His work ethic is second to none.”

With the commitment, Sodergren joins fellow Warriors’ forwards Quin Foreman (Dartmouth) and Jon Russell, (Harvard) and defenseman Nicholas Rutigliano (Bentley) who have all been recruited to play Div. 1 college hockey.

Warriors @ Vernon…

The Warriors (12-14-1-0) will visit the Vernon Vipers Friday night in BCHL action. Face off at Kal Tire Place is 7 p.m.

West Kelowna will be home Saturday night to the Alberni Valley Bulldogs. Puck drop at Royal LePage Place is 7 p.m.