Nick Buonassisi is returning to British Columbia to play hockey.
The former Prince George Cougar will join the UBC Thunderbirds for the 2013-14 season after ending his Western Hockey League career with the Brandon Wheat Kings. In five seasons in the WHL, the 20-year-old Coquitlam native spent three seasons in Prince George before being traded to the Lethbridge Hurricanes.
Buonassisi played in 339 regular season games, tallying 64 goals and 107 assists during his major junior career. With the Wheat Kings the five-foot-10, 188-pound centre had 14 goals and 34 assists in 69 games. After the WHL season ended, Buonassisi joined the Quad City Mallards of the Central Hockey League where he suited up for three playoff games.
Other UBC recruits include former WHL players Wes Vannieuwenhuizen, Brandon Underwood, Luke Lockhart and former Cougar Greg Fraser.
Last season, the T-birds finished in fifth place with a 14-13-1 record. They will open the 2013-14 Canada West season Oct. 11 in Calgary against the Dinos.
