With recent college commitments by Max Itagaki and Michael Craig the Clippers have 11 players bound for NCAA hockey programs over the next two seasons. (Gary Dorland)

By Dan Marshall

College Bound

VIDEO: Two more Nanaimo Clippers announce NCAA commitments

Mar 10, 2022 | 11:01 AM

NANAIMO — Max Itagaki and Michael Craig are the latest Clippers to commit to NCAA programs.

Itagaki will join Army at West Point while Michael Craig will attend Robert Morris University.

Itagaki is looking forward to the opportunity, although it’s not known if it will be for next season or the 2023-24 campaign.

“I’m extremely honored and humbled to announce my commitment to play Division 1 hockey at Army. I’d like to thank my family, coaches and teammates for all of their support along the way.”

Craig will almost certainly return to Nanaimo next year with the RMU hockey program sitting out next season due to a lack of funds, however fundraising efforts have afforded the men’s hockey team to make a return for fall 2023.

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Acting coach Bob Beatty said he is looking forward to Craig returning from injury soon and getting to see what he can do on the ice.

“I know he’s a quality individual and it’s fortunate for the Clippers we’ll have him for another year. I know RMU is a quality program.”

The latest announcements bring the Clippers to a total of 11 players committed to NCAA hockey programs over the next two seasons.

Only four BCHL teams have more college bound athletes.

There are still three current Nanaimo players who will graduate from the BCHL this spring who don’t have a school commitment yet.

Keighan Gerrie and Andrew Noel are still looking at NCAA opportunities while Alek Sukunda is not eligible but could play hockey at the USports level for a Canadian school.

Beatty expects to sit down with those players to assist in the process.

“I’ve certainly thought of some opportunities that may be fits for them. Those discussions will happen in the near future.”

On the ice the Clippers are heading into their final seven games of the regular season.

After recent wins of 6-3 over Chilliwack and 5-3 versus Surrey Nanaimo is in third place in the Coastal Division with a record of 29-16-1-1.

A busy weekend is on tap with a home game against Langley on Friday, March 11 and road contests in Victoria and Alberni Valley on Saturday, March 12 and Sunday, March 13.

CLIP NOTES:

Kai Daniells recorded his first career hat trick Mar. 4 against the Chilliwack Chiefs.

Netminder Cooper Black played back to back games for the first time since early January and earned victories against the Chiefs and Eagles. He is 3-0 since returning from injury on Feb. 25.

Nanaimo’s offense has been sharp for the past month with the team recording four or more goals in seven of the last nine games.

Leading scorer Sean Donaldson continues to roll with points in all but two games since Nov. 26. He has at least a point in 23 of his last 25 games.

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