Warriors Blackburn commits

Photo: Wayne Moore - Castanet

Warriors forward Liam Blackburn has committed to attending the University of New Hampshire either next season or in 2016.

West Kelowna Warriors forward Liam Blackburn has settled on his next hockey destination.

The Warriors announced Tuesday that he has committed to play college hockey at the University of New Hampshire.

Blackburn, a native of Prince George, currently leads the BCHL in scoring through the first three weeks of the season.

He met with UNH’s assistant coach at the Showcase event in Chilliwack, then immediately travelled to the campus for a tour.

“I really liked the campus; it was like a forest walking from the facility to the dorms,” says Blackburn.

“And it helps that there are guys on the team already that played in this league so there are familiar faces that I got to meet as well.”

While the start date of Blackburn’s commitment is still up in the air, he thinks he will be ready whether it is next season, or 2016-2017.

“An extra year of junior would be really nice to develop physically but I think I’m ready mentally to make that jump.”

Blackburn credits Seb Lloyd and Adam Plant for leading him in his rookie season, as well as the rest of his teammates who had committed last year.

Warriors Head Coach and General Manager Rylan Ferster likes what he has seen early on this season from Blackburn.

“Liam is a great talent. He has gotten off to a very good start, as he put in the work in the summer and it’s paying off early on.”

Blackburn will join current BCHL players Nick Nonis (Powell River) and Marcus Vela (Langley) with the Wildcats to start his college career.  

Six current Wildcats spent time in the BCHL, including former Warrior Grayson Downing, who is a senior on this year’s team.

Blackburn and the Warriors are getting set for a tough weekend as they face the Penticton Vees in a home-and-home set.

The two teams meet Friday in Penticton before Saturday's return engagement at Royal LePage Place.

Both teams share top spot in the BCHL standings with 10 points. Penticton holds an early game in hand.