Spruce Kings goalie goes north to Alaska next season

The Prince George Spruce Kings have announced that goaltender Jesse Jenks has accepted an NCAA division 1 scholarship to the University of Alaska Fairbanks for the 2015/2016 season.

The University of Alaska Fairbanks head coach Dallas Ferguson and assistant coach Lance West were recently at the BCHL’s showcase weekend in Chilliwack and really liked what they saw in Jenks. After much discussion between the parties Jesse has decided that UAF is a tremendous fit for him.

The University of Alaska Fairbanks was founded in 1917 and has a student enrollment of just over 10,000. Its men’s hockey team plays in the highly competitive Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA).  Jesse Jenks will join Spruce Kings co-captain Chad Staley, who is also committed to The University of Alaska Fairbanks for 2015/2016 season.

“Jesse has shown that he is an elite goaltender who is very deserving of this honor,” said Spruce Kings general manager Mike Hawes. “The University of Alaska Fairbanks is a tremendous program that is well coached and I know that Jesse will go there and excel. While it is an exciting day for Jesse I know that he is focused on the Spruce Kings and their success this season as he develops and prepares himself for the transition to NCAA division 1 hockey

The team is set for its home opener weekend on Friday October 3 and Saturday October 4 versus the Chilliwack Chiefs. Both games are at 7 p.m. at the Prince George coliseum.