Five full seasons in the Western Hockey League went by like a snap of the fingers. Suddenly, it seems, Garrett Thiessen is now preparing for the next phase of hockey and life.

Both will unfold at the University of Saskatchewan.

Thiessen, born and raised in Prince George, has accepted an offer to attend U of S and play for the Huskies, who skate in the Canada West conference of Canadian Interuniversity Sport.

"Time flies, that's for sure," said the 20-year-old Thiessen, who spent three seasons with his hometown WHL team and finished off last season as captain. "It just seems like yesterday that I was playing my first game in Prince George. The best memories I have in my entire life come from playing in the Western Hockey League, and playing in Prince George was absolutely amazing. I'm so thankful for all the memories that I was able to get. Not many kids get to go through what I went through. It was awesome but I am looking forward to the next step in life now. It will be good too."

See Wednesday's Citizen for more.