Dickin commits to UND

Sports

Posted By Brian Bowman

Posted 1 month ago

Taylor Dickin will not have to travel far to begin the next step in his hockey career.

The former Steelers' star will soon be calling Grand Forks, N.D. his new home after accepting a scholarship to play Division 1 hockey for the University of North Dakota Fighting Sioux, who play in the WCHA.

"Everyone knows what UND is all about, it's a great school and a great hockey atmosphere and it's something I want to be a part of," said Dickin Monday afternoon. "It's a great opportunity to turn pro (after college), whether it be the NHL or Europe, and that's something I want to do."

The 21-year-old Winnipeg product played the past three seasons with the Steelers, winning the MJHL MVP award in his graduating year. Dickin had a fantastic finish to his junior career, playing in all 62 league games, while scoring 40 goals and 52 assists for 92 points, third best in the league. He also added a goal and six assists in six playoff games.

Dickin still has to finish some courses before he is eligible to play for the Sioux but he hopes to be in the lineup after Christmas.

Still, he may have a tough time getting ice time, at least right away, on a UND team that was ranked fourth in the nation a year ago and has plenty of firepower up front. They lost just two players from last year's squad but will have a much higher turnover of players after this season.

"I'll probably start at the bottom again and I'll have to work my way up but that's not a big deal for me because I had to do it in Selkirk," Dickin, who recorded 85 goals and had 98 assists in 182 career games with the Steelers, admitted. "It's something that you have to go through but there will be some openings the year after so hopefully I'll get into a scoring role for the next three years after that."

Dickin is looking forward to playing in front of the boisterous UND fans, which routinely pack the $104-million Ralph Engelstad Arena, considered by many to be the premiere college hockey rink in the U.S., on a regular basis. The rink is routinely filled to its 11,640 capacity.

Dickin has been down to watch the Sioux before, taking in a game with the Steelers last November. Next time he visits the Ralph, though, he'll be going there as a student-athlete.

"It's an amazing (rink and atmosphere)," he remarked.

Dickin recently returned from the Toronto Maple Leafs' summer prospects camp where he was able to showcase his skills to the Leafs' brass. There, he met Fighting Sioux players, forward Matt Frattin and defenceman Andrew MacWilliam.

"It was a great experience, there were 30 guys and three goalies, and a lot of guys were either draft picks or signed (players)," Dickin, one of just a few free agents at the camp, explained. "I talked to (the Leafs) afterwards and they thought I fit in well with the older guys."

Steelers' head coach Ryan Smith was pleased to see Dickin get an opportunity with UND, considered by many to be one of the top NCAA schools in the U.S., and one that has had great success recruiting Manitobans.

Stanley Cup champion Jonathan Toews of the Chicago Blackhawks had a great collegiate career there while Selkirk's Ryan Martens played four seasons at UND from 2005-2009. Currently, Jason Gregoire, a former Winnipeg South Blue, Brent Davidson, who played with the Neepawa Natives, and Morden's Chay Genoway will all return to the Sioux next season.

"Guys are killing themselves to get there, so we're real happy he's getting this opportunity," said Smith. "He's going to arguably, and for sure, one of the top-five hockey programs in the States in Division 1. They have a great facility, and for a Manitoba guy, a Winnipeg guy, what else can you want.

"It's Division 1, a great school, a great team that's two hours up the road from us and it's a dream-come-true for a lot of kids. They do bring up a lot of Manitoba guys because they have had success down there, so it's a big honour for Taylor."

Smith is proud of the fact that five of the six graduating players from the Steelers a year ago, are continuing with their hockey careers at the next level.

"We want guys to go on from this program into other programs and, for sure, Taylor going on to UND is a huge accomplishment for him and the Steelers. We're very, very proud of him."

Steelers' GM Ken Petrash said, once again, this proves that good players in the MJHL can make the jump to Division 1 U.S. schools and make an impact. Last year, Adam Pleskach went from the Steelers to Division 1 American International and promptly led the Yellow Jackets in scoring in his freshman season.

"I've been trying to get guys to (UND) for years and I'm hoping (we get more) and I don't think Taylor will disappoint them by the way he played last year and the way he is developing," Petrash predicted. "It should be good for our program to finally put a guy at UND and I'm proud of Taylor getting there - it's not an easy place to get to.

"This is what we need is our guys to get opportunities and when they get them, they (have to impress) to make way for the next guys in line," he added."