SHERWOOD PARK, AB: The Sherwood Park Crusaders are pleased to announce that goaltender Matt Berlin (1998) has committed to the University of Alberta Golden Bears for the 2019-20 season.
“We’re extremely excited that Matt has committed to the Bears, and that the Bears have committed to them,” said Crusaders general manager Kyle Chase. “Matt was a guy who maybe didn’t wear a letter on our team, but he was one of the leaders that showed the young guys the way and taught them how to win hockey games. What he’s done over the last year for (current Crusader) Carter Gylander as far as being a great teammate and great mentor, we can’t say enough about the person and player he is.”
The University of Alberta, located in Edmonton, Alberta, is a U Sports program that finished with a 24-3-1 record in the Canada West conference and lost in the National Final to the University of New Brunswick. The Golden Bears are coached by Ian Herbers, who is now in his second tenure with the University after spending time in the NHL with the Edmonton Oilers.
Berlin, 21, spent one full season with the Crusaders after they acquired him from the Drayton Valley Thunder in 2016. In between his stints with the Crusaders, Berlin spent time in the Western Hockey League with the Seattle Thunderbirds and Kootenay Ice. Last season, the Edmonton native finished with 2.57 GAA, an 0.917 SV% along with 28 wins in 38 games.
Berlin is the thirteenth Crusader to earn a post-secondary scholarship from the 2018/19 roster, joining Tyler Jette (Lakehead University) Jack Hamly (University of Alberta-Augustana), Brayden Hyland (MacEwan University), Brandon Wallis (Concordia University), Carter Gylander (Colgate University), Will Zapernick (University of Alabama-Huntsville), Garrett Clegg (Robert Morris University), Zach Kaiser (University of Massachusetts Lowell) Brett Wieschorster (University of Vermont), Reid Irwin, Carter Savoie, and Michael Benning (University of Denver).
The Crusaders organization wish to congratulate both Matt and his family on his commitment.
For further information, please contact Crusaders media coordinator Liam Horrobin at liamhorrobin@sherwoodparkcrusaders.com.