Port Coquitlam product Colby Kulhanek is going from the top of the major junior hockey hill to Burnaby Mountain.
Kulhanek has committed to join the Simon Fraser Clan for the next B.C. Intercollegiate Hockey League season. It was announced last week.
He joins the Clan after having spent three seasons in the Western Hockey League with the Chilliwack Bruins, the Red Deer Rebels and the Prince George Cougars.
Kulhanek played 110 regular season games for the Bruins during the 2006-07 and 2007-08 seasons.
He was dealt to the Red Deer Rebels late in 2007-08 in exchange for defenceman Matt Strong.
Kulhanek played just 24 games for the Rebels before being traded to the Prince George Cougars prior to the 2008-09 season.
He played 27 games for the Cougars before finally deciding his heart wasn’t in the Western Hockey League anymore. The forward totalled 46 points, including 17 goals, in 161 WHL games.
Last season, the 20-year-old split time with the Sherwood Park Crusaders of the Alberta Junior A Hockey League and the B.C. Hockey League’s Burnaby Express, who are moving to Coquitlam starting next season.
In 62 games with the Crusaders and Express, he managed 49 points and 68 penalty minutes.
“He is a talented winger who should provide an immediate offensive boost to a strong returning group,” said Clan general manager Jeff Dubois. “He’s also a solid physical presence who has succeeded at a very high level of junior hockey.”
Kulhanek finished his junior career with the Express, with whom he was named an assistant captain.
“I’m thrilled for Colby that he’ll have the opportunity to play his university hockey at SFU,” said Express general manager Darcy Rota. “Colby brought tremendous leadership and character to our club... and I wish him all the best as he takes the next step in his hockey career and with his studies.”
Kulhanek is expected to make his first on-ice appearance with the Clan at the team’s junior evaluation camp May 1 and 2 in Burnaby.
Other Bruins who’ve gone on to the university ranks include Partik Bhungal and Dylan Chapman.