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Former Vernon Vipers captain lands Canucks scholarship

Connor Elliot, from Coldstream, is a sophomore defenceman with the reigning three-time NCAA Div. 3 national champion Hobart Statesmen in Geneva, NY

As he enjoys some summer fishing, and working for a Vernon glass company to help with his college tuition, Coldstream's Connor Elliot reeled in some much-needed cash.

The former Vernon Vipers captain, coming off winning an NCAA Div. III national hockey championship as a freshman defenceman with the Hobart and William Smith Colleges Statesmen in Geneva, NY, is one of six recipients of a BC Hockey League/Vancouver Canucks Alumni Scholarship worth $2,500.

"It's really awesome that the BCHL and the Canucks are doing this," said Elliot, 22, who played in the BCHL with the Vipers, Cowichan Valley Capitals and Prince George Spruce Kings before continuing his hockey at the post-secondary level. "These scholarships really help out the players."

Elliot is taking general studies at Hobart.

The program, which has been in place since 1987, is designed to provide former BCHL players with scholarship funds as they continue their academic and hockey careers.

The recipients of the scholarships are determined by a selection committee from the BCHL, based on the individual鈥檚 academics, hockey and community service.

Like Elliot, the other five winners for 2024-25 are league alumni, now playing hockey and going to school. The other winners were Jordan Fairlie (Spruce Kings, U. of Toronto); Luca Grabas (Chilliwack Chiefs, Nanaimo Clippers, Simon Fraser University); Logan Holm (Alberni Valley Bulldogs, York University); Keeton Oakley (Coquitlam Express, Langley Rivermen, York University); and Noah Quinn (Cranbrook Bucks, Bemidji State University).

Elliot was named captain of the Vipers ahead of the 2023-24 BCHL season. During his final year, assistant/interim head coach Lukas Lomicky was contacted by Hobart coaches. Lomicky was familiar with the college, having sent one of his former players to the Statesmen.

"They (Hobart) were watching some of my video online, they reached out to Lukas, and then they got in contact with me," said Elliot, on how he ended up with the then two-time defending NCAA Div. III champs. "They told me about their program and it seemed like the right fit. I'm super happy I went there."

On July 18, Elliot was one of seven members of the 2024-25 national champions named Krampade All-American Scholars by the American Hockey Coaches Association. Since 2017, the Hobart team had 39 players earn 81 All-American Scholar honours.

In its ninth year, the All-American Scholar program recognizes varsity ice hockey players who have attained a 3.75 GPA for each semester during the 2024-25 season and appeared in at least 40 per cent of their school's games.

Hobart concluded the season with a 29-1-1 overall record. The Statesmen were unbeaten in their final 13 games and captured their third straight national championships, which included a 2-1 win in overtime against the Utica (NY) Pioneers. The winning goal was scored by Khalil Fontana of Duncan. He played with the Cowichan Valley Capitals but was dealt away shortly before Elliot arrived on Vancouver Island.

"I had a chance to talk with him quite a bit during the recruiting process and over the summer," said Elliot, a 6-foot-3, 210-pound defenceman who played 18 games as a freshman, collecting two goals, 10 points, and a national championship ring.

Elliot was told during the recruiting process he could be a contributing factor to a third-straight national title squad.

"When you play hockey, there's not guarantees wherever you go, so you just go and be the best version of yourself to help the team succeed," he said. "The three-peat was something we knew we could accomplish, and that was our goal from the beginning of the year. I wouldn't say we put pressure on ourselves. We just wanted to stay consistent, believe in ourselves, and stay true to our game.

"It wasn't a cake walk by any means."

Elliot won the Vernon Winter Carnival Coca Cola Classic Pee Wee Hockey Tournament in 2016 with his dad, former Vernon Lakers Fred Page Cup champion defenceman Wes Elliot, coaching. The pair would win the provincial title a month later. He credits Wes and mom, Julie, for their endless support.

"I started playing because my dad used to play, and I'd go watch his beer league games," said Elliot. "He coached me all the way going up, and my mom is my biggest supporter. They've been there to watch me when I've played for all of these different minor and junior teams. Their support has been incredible."

Geneva is a small college town in New York state, an hour away from both Rochester and Syracuse. It's an area known for fine wine, and has deep farming and agriculture roots, along with big support for Hobart. Elliot looks forward to returning for his sophomore season, where he'll share a house with three teammates off-campus, and the team will receive its national championship banner and rings.

Asked about the Div. III competition, and possibility of a four-peat, Elliot said, "It's a tough league to play in. Everybody's good. Every night is a battle. It's good competition, and a great league."

 



Roger Knox

About the Author: Roger Knox

I am a journalist with more than 30 years of experience in the industry. I started my career in radio and have spent the last 21 years working with Black Press Media.
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