A pair of Western States Hockey League (WSHL) standouts from the Northern Colorado Eagles will join the Selkirk College Saints for the 2020-2021 season.
Forwards Eric Hildebrand and Jacob Elik have committed to Selkirk College for the upcoming British Columbia Intercollegiate Hockey League (BCIHL) season, remaining teammates as they make the move back to Canada.
The son of former NHLer Todd Elik, forward Jacob Elik was the captain of the Northern Colorado Eagles in his final season of junior where he led his team in scoring. He will join the Selkirk College Saints for the 2020-2021 BCIHL season. (Diane Madden photo)
“Both Jacob and Erik bring highly effective 200-feet games,” says Saints’ head coach Dave Hnatiuk. “They are dedicated, hard working forwards who can contribute on the scoresheet. In their junior careers, they have both proven that they will do whatever it takes to help the team win. We are excited to welcome them to our program.”
Leadership and Well-Rounded Games
Elik played his minor hockey in Regina, Saskatchewan and is the son of former National Hockey League (NHL) forward Todd Elik. The 21-year-old played four seasons in the WSHL, finishing his junior stint with the Eagles where he led his team in scoring with 18 goals and 52 assists in 50 games. The captain of the Eagles in the 2019-2020 season, the 6’0” centre will provide valued leadership for the Saints.
“I chose Selkirk College to continue my hockey career and further my education, the program and the school felt right to me in every single way,” says Elik, who has enrolled in the Business Administration Program for the Fall Semester. “Everything I have heard about the Saints hockey program, from leadership in Coach Hnatiuk to the environment set within the team, made it an easy decision athletically. I will bring selflessness, work ethic and a desire to win on a daily basis.”
A solid two-way forward with the ability to score, Eric Hildebrand was a Northern Colorado Eagles teammate of Jacob Elik where he finished third in team scoring in his final season of junior hockey. (Diane Madden photo)
Originally from Brandon, Manitoba, Hildebrand played three seasons with the Eagles and finished third in team scoring in 2019-2020 with 15 goals and 23 assists. Childhood friends with current Saints defenceman and fellow Manitoban Tristen Cross, Hildebrand’s all-around game will be an important driver of success on the ice.
“Selkirk College came highly recommended by Tristan,” says Hildebrand, who will start his post-secondary journey in the Carpentry Program. “When I took a closer look at both the hockey program and the school, it was a really good fit for myself. I will bring some speed to the Saints lineup and pride myself in being a good defensive forward. I can also help out and produce in the offensive zone.”
Elik and Hildebrand join goaltender Jake Anthony and forward Carson Erhardt in the 2020-2021 Selkirk College Saints recruiting class with more announcements expected. The Saints training camp is scheduled to open at the end of August and will be contingent upon guidelines associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.
