Four North Vancouver hockey players help U.S. college win first ever national championship
Posted April 12, 2023 7:39 pm.
Last Updated April 12, 2023 7:40 pm.
Four hockey players from North Vancouver have etched their names in the history books by helping their U.S. college win its first-ever national championship.
The Quinnipiac Bobcats men’s ice hockey team defeated Minnesota in dramatic fashion with a 3-2 overtime victory Saturday night.
Since everybody else posted their goal angle… here's our's ????♂️#BobcatNation x #NCAAHockey pic.twitter.com/5uUwHAiAdR
— Quinnipiac Men's Ice Hockey (@QU_MIH) April 10, 2023
The team achieving glory with contributions from freshmen defenceman Matthew Campbell, senior defenceman Jayden Lee, and fifth-year forwards Ethan de Jong and Desi Burgart, all born in North Vancouver.
The foursome combined for seven points throughout the four tournament-style games.
“I still can’t believe it … I think it’s going to take a long time to set in,” Burgart told CityNews.
Burgart said it was especially meaningful for the team to win in front of so many former players.
“So many alumni were at the game, we had a few right on the glass, they were in tears. Just seeing what it meant to them, they really cultivated the environment and culture of our team and program, and to give that back to them was just awesome.”
The Bobcats became a NCAA Division 1 program back in 1998, the same year Burgart was born.
Burgart was also a member of the team’s leadership group this year, and he attributes North Vancouver hockey players’ growing success, such as the NHL’s anticipated first overall pick in this year’s draft, Connor Bedard, to high-level competition and the availability of ice.
“A lot of it has to do with great programs, like the North Shore Winter Club.
“But, it’s also the availability of rinks you just don’t get in other places. Within 30 minutes from my house growing up, we had access to like 20 or-so rinks.”
At the same time Burgart understands how fortunate he is to be able to play the game he loves.
“The biggest thanks I could ever give to is to my parents, for supporting me and letting me live out my dream.”
Burgart wishes to see better options available for those less fortunate, so more Canadian kids can get involved in the sport.
“Ten years ago I was never the top guy, but my parents supported me financially and gave me the tools I needed to progress and chase what I wanted to do,” he said.
“It’d be great if hockey was a cheaper sport to play, with all the equipment and stick prices, it’s a little bit ridiculous.”
