August 30, 2013 - 10:46 AM
PENTICTON –The Penticton Vees are pleased to announce goaltender Olivier Mantha (93) has committed to the University of Alaska-Anchorage for the 2014-2015 season.
Mantha, 20, came to Penticton after spending the past three seasons in his home province of Quebec playing at Laflèche College in Trois-Rivières. Mantha appeared in 75 games for the Dragons and was named a RSEQ league All-Star in the past two seasons. The La Tuque, Quebec product was second in the Quebec college hockey circuit in save-percentage this past season, and also received a student-excellence award in 2012.
The Vees goaltender says he’s excited to secure a scholarship this early and looks forward to the challenges ahead, “I’m surprised but very happy to have this happen so soon, as this the reason I made the move to play in BC. My main goal now is to win as many games I can for this team and win a championship.”
Mantha says what drew him to Anchorage was the ability to make an immediate impact next fall, “The coaching staff told me I will have an opportunity as a freshman to earn the starting job there next season and that will only help me better myself while I’m here in Penticton.”
The Alaska-Anchorage hockey program was founded in 1979 and the Seawolves have been a part of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association since 1993. Vees alumni that have played at Alaska-Anchorage include Matt Hanson, Nick Lowe, Spencer Carberry and most recently Andrew Pickering. Mantha is now the eighth players on the Vees roster with an NCAA scholarship.
News from © iNFOnews, 2013