Two former member of the the Manitoba Junior Hockey League’s Swan Valley Stampeders have recently agreed to university commitments for the coming season of play. As a prime feeder league, the MJHL continues to show its wide array of talent with the signings of defenceman Lane Kirk and forward Frazer Dodd to post-secondary agreements.

Kirk has agreed to terms on a standard contract with the Camrose-based University of Alberta Augustana, where he will attend school and enjoy athletics as a member of the Vikings. Dodd will travel south to Pennsylvania where he will join the Alvernia University Golden Wolves.

Both Kirk (21) and Dodd (22) spent the 2019-20 season with Swan Valley. And for Kirk – or Captain Kirk, the title he developed in his final season with the Stamps – it was a lot more than just the 2019-20 season.

The 5-foot-10, 170-pound blueliner joined the Stampeders in 2016, to which he stayed through the durations of his five-year Junior career, leaving a considerable mark on his hometown of Swan River.

“I am pleased to join the U of A Vikings,” Kirk said in a team-issued release. “They are a great school and have a fantastic program. It is exciting to be put into a veteran lineup and have a chance to make an impact and win a Championship right away… I would like to thank the Stampeder organization and everyone who has helped me further my career.”

Kirk had five goals, 63 points and 149 penalty minutes over his 180 regular season games with Swan Valley. He added another six assists and 28 penalty minutes in 24 postseason contests during his MJHL career.

Dodd, who only suited up for that one year in Manitoba, did enjoy his time within the league, following his trade from his home province of British Columbia (Merritt Centennials, 2019).

“Playing in a good, competitive league like the MJHL with great coaches helped to grow my love for the game even more,” Dodd said in a team-issued media release. “Also, having a bigger role on the team was very important for my growth as a player and person.”

Although already previously committing to Bryn Athyn College, Dodd was forced to change his ways after the Lions announced they would no longer be participating in the NCAA’s Division III.

“I chose Alvernia because I believed it was the best place to further my education and hockey career,” Dodd added in the release. “The coach Andrew Burke showed a great deal of interest when recruiting me and I decided to follow him to Alvernia University… I’d like to once again thank head coach and general manager Barry Wolff for everything he has done from me, including trading me to Swan from Merritt. It really was a fantastic place to end my junior hockey career.”

Dodd had 19 goals, 36 points and 22 penalty minutes in 46 games for the Stamps in his lone MJHL season. He also produced at over a point-per-game rate in his three postseason showings, putting up three goals and four points in those games.

Carter Brooks

Carter Brooks - Associate Editor of Game On Magazine - is a news writer and sports columnist situated in Winnipeg, MB. On top of reading and writing, his favourite pastimes include camping, car-modification projects and coaching hockey. Carter can be reached at carterbrooks1994@gmail.com.