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Dalrymple – BCHL Newsletter Highlight

Success with Kings helps Dalrymple achieve hockey and school objectives

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PR Celey 100When Craig Dalrymple made the decision to move west from Ontario and play in the British Columbia Hockey League, his goals were to get better as a hockey player, be part of a successful team and eventually land a college scholarship.

He's checked all those things off his list and had no idea it would all come so quickly.

The 6-foot-4, 205-pound defenceman has produced eight goals and 22 points from the blueline for the Kings who are on top of the BCHL with a 28-5-3-2 record. The best part for the Kippen, Ont. native is the scholarship he accepted in early December to play for the Ohio State Buckeyes, where current teammates Chad Niddery and Justin Dasilva are inked to play next season.

“It did come fast,” says Dalrymple, who spent 2009-10 season with the Stratford Cullitons of the junior B Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League. “Last year, I talked with three or four smaller schools (but) when I flew down (on a school visit) I knew right then and there, I had to choose Ohio State.”

The rangy rearguard did his homework before making the move to Powell River and was able to rely on some Ontario buddies for the inside scoop. Teammates Dasilva and Matt Garbowsky were able to fill him in on the team and league when they spoke last year.

“I asked them how much faster it is than junior B and how heavily the games are scouted,” he recalls. “I was just making sure it was a better league; it sounded great.”

Now having played half a season himself, Dalrymple knows what his friends were telling him is true.

“The BCHL is, I think, by far the best junior A league in the country. Several Ontario teams wanted me but as soon as Powell River reached me… I didn't have much of a problem making a decision coming out here.”

Dalrymple's scholarship to Ohio State is for the 2012-13 campaign and it should be a smooth transition as Dasilva and Niddery will have a season under their belts when he arrives. Dalrymple says an extra year in the BCHL will be vital for improving his lateral movement and aggressiveness, which he believes will ensure he can contribute for the Buckeyes right away.

“I had offers (from different schools) for 2011 but I want to be ready to be able to step in and be an immediate impact,” he says.

He plans to study sports management or business at Ohio State and and hopes to land a pro contract at some point along the way. In the meantime, he's playing the role of scout to his former teammates back home.

“Now, my buddies from Stratford are calling and asking me how the league is.”

Sounds familiar.