By Ethan Ready

Northern Recruits

Trinity Western Spartans developing a pipeline with Northern recruits

Jan 11, 2022 | 5:58 PM

PRINCE GEORGE – A trio of Northern Capitals will be walking the campus of Trinity Western University in Langley come the fall. Just this week, both defence Ella Boon and goaltender Karsyn Niven announced their commitment to the Spartans hockey program, joining forward Brooklyn Hutchings who announced her commitment back in April.

“The recruiting process was definitely stressful so it is a relief to finally be committed to somewhere I’m excited to go,” said Boon. “The last bit of the season will definitely be a little more relaxing and fun.”

Boon, the captain for the Capitals, is one of the team’s top blueline players. Through 21 games, she has scored six goals and seven assists.

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Hutchings admits it’s a huge relief knowing she will have a few familiar faces joining her when she steps onto campus.

“It’s a huge relief. I’m super excited to go in it with a few good friends and I’m not so overwhelmed. I’m really excited.”

Hutchings has been on a scoring tear this season for the Capitals. Through 18 games played, she has 15 goals and 15 assists, and at one point was at the top of the entire BC Elite Hockey League in points.

Karsyn Niven joined in on the relief being felt.

“Just knowing you have somewhere to play next year so you can just focus on enjoying the last season, last bit with the Northern Capitals, enjoying all your friends here and just preparing for what’s to come next season.”

Between the pipes, Niven is among the top goalies in the province. She has started 11 games and carries a 1.60 goals-against average while carrying a 6-3-0-2 record, including two games with shutouts.

For the coach who’s getting these three players, he couldn’t be happier.

“The wins are going to come,” stated Spartans Head Coach Jean LaForest, who joined the Spartans in 2019, with the program having been set to begin play in Canada West in 2020-21.

“That is not by any question, we have to build a strong culture and I don’t want to have to take a step back and have to undo the culture in our program. I want to continuously have momentum and have it be in a positive direction. Getting the right people here: work ethic, character, the way they’ve been coached. That was key. When I looked at all three, all three come from a very strong program.”

LaForest then added a strong statement, complimenting Cariboo Hockey and the program they’ve pieced together with the Northern Capitals.

“They’re the best program in the province right now,” said LaForest.

Adding three players with the impact they have made, both on the ice and in the locker room as leaders, Laforest believes they will help boost the Spartans to the next level.

“Our optics were on culture first and foremost. They will definitely bring us to that next level. I think right now we’re at a good level, I say good trending in the right direction culture-wise, but we want to move that needle from good to great. The Northern Capitals have been really good to us, I mean we’re getting three really good recruits.”

And the trio is already coordinating their plans for the moment they step onto campus together.

“It’s really exciting to go in with two of my teammates,” said Boon. “I’ve played with Brooklyn for many years, same with Karsyn. It’s really exciting to go in with them and it will really help with the school part of it.”

“Now we’re just planning on what the dorm situation, what’s going on here. It’s just more ahead, I guess,” said Hutchings.

Relieved to be committed, the three can now focus on the remainder of the BCEHL season, which gets back up and running with a trip to Richmond to take on the Greater Vancouver Comets this weekend.