The Canadian Sport School Hockey League has seen its share of high end player’s lace up the skates over the years from Matt Dumba of the Minnesota Wild to Curtis Lazar of the Ottawa Senators and captain of the 2015 gold-medal winning Canadian World Junior team, however the crop of prospects currently playing in the Prep Division may be the best yet.
The 2014-15 season has nine of the 21 players selected in the first round of the 2014 WHL Bantam Draft calling the division home, along with more than 20 players taken in later rounds. Over a dozen current players have seen action in the BCHL this season with a few already receiving National Collegiate Athletic Association scholarships.
All the players will be in Penticton from March 12-15 for the 2015 CSSHL Championships.
Five Prep Division Players to Watch:
Jordy Bellerive, Okanagan Hockey Academy White
One of the most highly touted players to enter the CSSHL this season, Bellerive hasn’t disappointed scoring 29 goals in 24 games as a 1999-born player. The North Vancouver product was drafted second overall by the Lethbridge Hurricanes at the 2014 WHL Bantam Draft. He has played in three games with the Penticton Vees this season, scoring his first BCHL goal on Dec. 3.
Kohen Olischefski, Yale Hockey Academy
One of the model student athletes in the CSSHL the past two seasons, Olischefski has followed up his 2013-14 Elite 15s Division MVP season with a league-leading 70 points (29-41-70) through 27 games this season. Committed to the Chilliwack Chiefs, where he has played seven games this season, for the 2015-16 campaign, the Abbotsford product has already received an NCAA scholarship to the University of Wisconsin.
Jaret Anderson-Dolan, Edge School for Athletes
Selected 14th overall at the 2014 WHL Bantam Draft, Anderson-Dolan has produced 29 points (13-16-29) in 23 games so far with Edge as the only 1999-born player on the roster. The Calgary product has already laced up the skates for the Spokane Chiefs three times this season.
Michael Rasmussen, Okanagan Hockey Academy White
The six-foot-four, 1999-born Rasmussen has enjoyed a successful season with OHA White, netting 43 points (23-20-43) in 25 games. Drafted seventh overall in 2014 by the Tri-City Americans, the Surrey product made his WHL debut on Jan. 21 and has also played one game for the Vees this season.
Tak Anholt, Yale Hockey Academy
The 1998-born Anholt leads the entire CSSHL in points per-game (2.7) as he has accumulated 62 points (26-36-62) in just 23 games. The North Vancouver is committed to the Vees for the 2015-16 season. He has suited up in five games with Penticton so far this season.
You can see these players by purchasing tickets at www.valleyfirsttix.com or in person at the Valley First Box Office at the SOEC or the Wine Country Visitor Centre.