Prince George Spruce Kings defenceman Nick Bochen is going to Michigan.
The B.C. Hockey League team announced Wednesday the 17-year-old North Vancouver native has agreed to terms on an NCAA scholarship commitment to attend the University of Michigan to play for the Wolverines beginning in the 2020-2021 season.
The five-foot-nine, 154-pound Bochen has blossomed this season as a rookie on the Kings' blueline and in 41 games he has five goals and 20 assists, with 12 minutes in penalties.
Bochen scored one goal in five games for the Kings last year as an affiliated player and joined the team full-time in February from the Burnaby Winter Club midget prep academy team. He played 13 games in a playoff run that took the team to its first ever BCHL final.
"We are proud of Nick for his commitment to Michigan Hockey NCAA Div. 1 for 2020-2021," said Kings head coach Adam Maglio in a team release.
"Nick has shown and proved that he is an elite defenceman in our league and he is very deserving of his commitment. We look forward to continuing working with Nick for this season and next before he leaves to Michigan."
Last week, the Kings announced 20-year-old winger Ben Brar has committed to a scholarship arrangement to attend Merrimack University in Massachusetts next season.
That brings the total of NCAA Division 1 scholarships to 12 on the current Spruce Kings roster.
