PHOTO: PURE LIFE PHOTOGRAPHY
Salmon Arm, B.C. — The Salmon Arm Silverbacks are thrilled to announce that 20-year-old forward Simon Tassy has committed to play NCAA Div. I hockey at Minnesota State University, Mankato.
The Montreal, Que. native has been one of the top forwards in the entire BCHL during the pod season, having recorded 12 goals and nine assists for 21 points in 15 games thus far. His 12 goals are tied for the second-most in the BCHL, while his 21 points rank sixth league-wide, along with teammate Noah Serdachny.
“I chose Mankato because I know how well they develop players and that was a really important part for me,” Tassy said. “I also had a great connection with the entire coaching staff. I talked to coach [Darren] Blue at the beginning of the year and coach [Todd] Knott and coach [Mike] Hastings. I had a really good connection with them. Also the winning culture there. They had a pretty incredible year this year and even the past years, they’ve been really good. That was important for me.”
Tassy has recorded six multi-point games this season, including four instances of three or more points, and has also been consistent, recording at least a point in 10 of his last 13 games.
Last season, Tassy recorded 10 goals and 17 points in 51 games as a rookie. He heated up at the end of the season with eight points in his final nine games and was named the Silverbacks’ Most Improved Player at the year-end awards.
“Simon has worked extremely hard at his game and he’s always a guy that comes and wants to get better. There was some pressure on him because he hadn’t had anything yet, so it’s nice to see somebody recognize the hard work that he has put in, ” Silverbacks head coach Tyler Shattock said. “He’s going to be a really good college player. I think you can see he’s that up and down winger with speed that can score. Once you put him in the right environment and he gets to the college level and gets used to it, I think you’re going to see a guy who will do the same thing at the college level that he’s doing for us here.”
The Minnesota State Mavericks compete in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association with nine other teams. Former Silverbacks captain Akito Hirose just completed his freshman season there, where he helped the Mavericks make their first Frozen Four appearance since 1991.
The program has made great strides under Hastings, who just finished up his ninth season behind the bench and carries a 236–90–24 record during that time. The club has finished first in the regular season WCHA standings six times and has won three WCHA conference championships during his tenure.
Tassy talks about the decision in the video below:
