By Dan Marshall

Clippers Hansen-Bukata commits to RIT for 2020-2021 hockey season

Jan 25, 2019 | 8:49 AM

NANAIMO — As the BCHL season heads into the stretch drive another Nanaimo Clipper has committed to the NCAA.
 
Defenseman Aiden Hansen-Bukata will join the Division One Rochester Institute of Technology program for the 2020-2021 hockey season.
 
The 19-year-old was a good point producer with the PJHL champion Delta Ice Hawks in his one year of Junior B hockey in 17-18, but he’s taking his game to the next level since joining the Clippers back in the fall.
 
Hansen-Bukata has spent most of the year as the Clippers top scoring defenseman and has consistently been in the team’s top pairing on the blueline.
 
Clippers coach Darren Naylor complimented the BCHL rookie for his hard work on the ice and in the classroom as reasons for his NCAA commitment.
 
The Clippers will be pleased to have Hansen-Bukata back for another year before he goes to school.
 
He’ll be a huge piece of their defense once again next season, and he’ll also gain another year of junior experience before making the jump to school.
 
For his part Hansen-Bukata is happy to secure the next step in his hockey future.
 
“I’m extremely honoured and excited to commit to Rochester Institute of Technology for the 20-21 season,” said Hansen-Bukata. “I can’t wait until I can finally put that Tigers jersey on in two years. Although the commitment is nice, I’m still focused on the next 13 regular season games and the playoffs.”
 
The other three Clippers with NCAA commitments are Thomas Samuelsen (UConn), Sammy Steele (Arizona State), and Mackenzie Merriman (Princeton).
 
Merriman will return along with Hansen-Bukata next season while Samuelsen and Steele will have the option to move on to the next level.
 
Several other players on the Clippers are in discussion with D1 schools and more commitments should be announced in the coming weeks.
 
 
dan@nanaimonewsnow.com
On twitter: @danmarshall77