Salmon Arm, B.C. — The Salmon Arm Silverbacks are extremely excited to announce that 2000-born goaltender Ethan Langenegger has committed to play NCAA Div. I hockey at Lake Superior State University.
The Kamloops, B.C. native made waves as a rookie in the BCHL in 2018-19, playing in 37 regular season games, the third most of any first-year goalie last season, where he posted an 18-17 record and .906 save percentage. In the Backs’ opening-round playoff series against the Vernon Vipers, Langenegger recorded a sparkling .938 save percentage and 2.08 goals-against-average. His .938 save percentage was the second-best in the post-season amongst goalies that played in at least five games.
“It’s really gratifying to see a guy that deserves something so much attain his primary goal,” Silverbacks head coach and general manager Scott Atkinson said. “He’s been a wonderful player for us. He’s a really good person and I can’t think of a more deserving individual. I’m sure he’s going to be a star for us this year and star for them in the future.”
Before Langenegger suited up for the Silverbacks, the 18-year-old played for the Thompson Blazers in the B.C. Major Midget League for two seasons.
The Lake Superior State Lakers, based in Sault Ste. Marie, Mich. compete in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association, a conference with 10 men’s teams, including Minnesota State University, where Silverbacks defenceman Akito Hirose has already committed to. Last year, the Lakers went 16-10-2 in the regular season and won their first-round series against Bemidji State before falling to the Minnesota State Mavericks in the semifinal.
