The Estevan Bruins' Dylan Smith is heading back to the east coast after selecting Oswego State University in New York to be his home for the next four years.
Finalizing his selection in mid-August may seem late, but Smith said he weighed his options closely, not feeling that the decision ever needed to be rushed.
"It took awhile. I had a lot of options after the season," said Smith of his late decision to select a school. "I took my time. Between me and my parents we were trying to pick a place that had good education and also gave a chance for me to win some hockey games. I want to compete for a national championship."
He could potentially be on that championship ready with the OSU Lakers men's hockey team coming off an appearance in the NCAA Division III national championship game. The team finished 25-5 last season and lost to the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Blugolds 5-3 in the championship final.
"I want a chance to go and compete for something that means something to me."
Smith suited up for 173 games with the Bruins over four years with the team. In that time he scored 95 goals and tallied 193 points. His season best was in 2011-12 when he scored 37 goals and 74 points in 57 games.
Smith is looking forward to that success continuing with the Lakers, a team he is looking forward to getting on the ice with.
"I've heard great things. I have a couple of friends who go there. I've heard good things about the coaching staff, and the fans who get out to the games are just phenomenal. I've heard great things about Ed (Gosek) as a coach. All the players who go there love their time there," said Smith.
Smith began the 2012-13 season playing for the Connecticut Oilers in the Eastern Junior hockey League. He amassed 28 points in 25 games before returning to the Bruins midway through the season.
That experience has left him very comfortable living and playing hockey in the United States.
"I learned a lot of stuff about the States when I was down there, so that will probably help me going into this season."
The Lakers have had a few senior students complete their stint with the team this summer, so Smith is hoping he can make an impact right away as a forward on one of the team's top two lines.
"That was another thing for me, that I wasn't going to get buried way down on the depth chart of a Division I team. I thought this would be a chance where I could go out and contribute right away."
Along with athletics, he is interested in his studies, and he will be majoring in geology.
Smith is also looking back on some fond memories in the Estevan community, noting he is appreciative of the coaches, community support and his billets, the Piersons.
"Just the whole town of Estevan has been very good to me, and it would have been harder to do what I've done without the support that I've gotten."
