By Dan Marshall

Clippers Crozier brothers both commit to NCAA hockey programs

Oct 31, 2017 | 10:33 AM

NANAIMO — As the Clippers were battling in three key divisional hockey games last week, two of their players were busy mapping out their futures.
 
Brothers Tristan and Max Crozier both committed to NCAA hockey programs within days of each other.
 
First it was older brother Tristan committing to Brown University.
 
He’ll be heading to Brown next year after completing his fourth season of junior hockey.
 
The 19-year-old spent two years with the Grande Prairie Storm of the AJHL before coming to Nanaimo.
 
Last season Crozier finished third in Clippers scoring with 29 points, and this season he’s been the leading scorer on the club for most of the year.
 
Crozier is thrilled for the chance to play four years of college hockey.
 
“It’s awesome,” said Crozier. “It’s a great feeling. I’m super happy to have finalized that last step. I’m happy to be going to such a great school.”
 
Crozier took a year off of school but is taking an online calculus course to get back into the swing of things.
 
His plan is to study business at Brown.
 
There was some talk about Tristan and Max Crozier going to the same NCAA school but last week Max committed to Providence College.
 
The younger Crozier will play another year for the Clippers before he heads south of the border.
 
“We both had opportunities to go to the same place but, I hate to say it, he’s alot smarter than me. He deserves to go to Brown for sure,” said Max Crozier.
 
17-year-old Max referenced the winning tradition of the program and the Providence coaching staff in his decision to commit to that program.
 
Since coming to Nanaimo in the summer Max’s career has really taken off.
 
First he was named to the NHL Central Scouting watch list, then he earned his way into the Clippers top four defense rotation.
 
He scored his first BCHL goal October 21 against Coquitlam and is currently Nanaimo’s top rookie scorer.
 
The Clippers have five players on their current roster who have NCAA commitments for either next season or the year after.
 
Coach Mike Vandekamp says there are a few more players from his squad he hopes will receive NCAA attention, but no further commitments are imminent.
 
The Clippers get back to the ice with two games this week, Friday at home to Trail and Sunday on the road versus Cowichan Valley.
 
 
dan@nanaimonewsnow.com
 
On twitter: @danmarshall77