Powell River Kings graduating captain Teagan Waugh has committed to Manhattanville College for next season.
Manahattanville is a NCAA Division III program and are a member of the ECAC West Conference. Waugh played 202 regular season and playoff games with the Kings over four seasons, scoring 45 goals and 114 points.
"(Head coach) Kent Lewis brought it up to me, as well as (assistant coach) Chad Van Diemen because he used to go to Manhattanville, and then I got in contact with the head coach" says Waugh. "We were back and forth for a while before he decided the best way for me to see the school was to fly down to New York. I went down there a few weeks back and it was a great experience."
"Manhattanville has a great Finance program, which is what Teagan wants to study" says Kings Head Coach and GM Kent Lewis. "Chad graduated from Manhattanville and was able to paint a pretty clear picture for what Manhattanville has to offer. He will be very close to New York City and he's going to have an incredible experience over the next four years."
It will be the first time Waugh has worn a different jersey in a competitive game since 2009, when he was with the North Island Silvertips of the BC Major Midget League. During the campus visit, Waugh got to see a snapshot of life in New York, for both schooling and hockey. "I was able to attend a class and check out the facilities, so it was a great time. After going there and seeing it all, there was really no way I could say no" says Waugh.
The school provides a good balance between academics and athletics, something which will be a good fit for Waugh.
"At this stage for kids, it's also about going to a place where the academics are a priority" says Lewis. "The good thing about Manhattanville is that there's a good combination of both quality hockey and quality education. Teagan will use his work ethic to earn a degree and enjoy his time both on and off the ice. We are very happy for him."
"That was a huge factor (in the decision), the schooling part. They have a great business program which offers a lot of internship programs in New York City and around the campus. After graduation there are a lot of job opportunities" adds Waugh.
