Trail Smoke Eaters forward Brent Baltus took an educated step forward as the team’s top scorer committed to play for an NCAA Division I team next season.
The Smoke Eaters announced Tuesday that Baltus has made a verbal agreement to play for the University of Alaska/Anchorage Seawolves for the 2012-13 season.
“We’re absolutely thrilled to see Brent commit to his college future,” stated Smoke Eaters head coach/general manager Bill Birks. “He has been the best player on the ice for our team on many occasions since coming to Trail, and this commitment is a testament to the hard work he puts in on and off the ice every day.”
In 25 games this season, the 20 year-old has set a new career high with 16 goals, and currently sits in a tie for sixth in the BCHL in scoring with 28 points. He set a new personal single-game best with four points in Trail’s 8-7 overtime victory over the Prince George Spruce Kings on Friday and will join former Smokie and Spruce King Ben Matthews on the Seawolf roster.
Baltus is the second Smoke Eater to commit to an NCAA Division I school this season. Linemate Scott Davidson, 17, secured his college future with Quinnipiac University in September.