Prince George Spruce Kings centre Michael Colantone committed to the NCAA Division I University of Massachusetts-Lowell on Monday, starting in the 2012-2013 season.
Mike Hawes, general manager of the Kings, said in a press release issued by the club Monday that Colantone has provided the team with what they expected since he joined them.
"We are extremely excited as an organization that we could help Michael achieve his goal of playing NCAA division I hockey," said Hawes.
In 22 games with the Spruce Kings, Colantone has 11 goals, including three game winners and 22 assists. He was acquired in October in a trade with the Victoria Grizzlies where he had a career 37 points in 59 games.
The UMass-Lowell River Hawks play in the Hockey East Association. River Hawks alumni include former NHL coach and player Craig MacTavish and Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Dwayne Roloson.
Colatone and the Kings return to the ice at The Coliseum on Wednesday at 7 p.m. when they host their British Columbia Hockey League rivals, the Chilliwack Chiefs in their first visit since relocating from Quesnel last spring. The Kings (11-9-1-3) lead the Chiefs (12-9-0-1) by a single point in the battle for the fourth, and final, playoff spot in the Interior Conference.
Both the Kings and Chiefs are coming off losses Saturday night.
A spirited comeback fell short for the Kings as they lost 4-3 in double overtime in Merritt to the Centennials.
Down 3-1 entering the final 20 minutes at Nicola Valley Arena the Kings scored a pair of power-play goals to force overtime but penalties bit the Kings in the extra period as Brandon Pfeil capitalized 28 seconds into the second extra period.
Paul De Jersey had a goal and two assists, while Colantone and Jujhar Khaira each had a goal and a helper for the Kings in Saturday's loss. Brandon Bruce, Regan Soquila and Billy Marshall had the regulation goals for Merritt, the latter two on the power play.
.png;w=120;h=80;mode=crop)
