Dancs Excited About Jump To U.S. School:

This was in my BCHL newsletter e-mail:

Vernon forward excited about jump to U.S. school

February 28th 2014

It's been an incredible journey for Dexter Dancs over these past four seasons. Emerging as a scoring threat for the Osoyoos Coyotes of the KIJHL was just the start.

He then got the chance to play limited minutes for the Penticton Vees when he was just 16-years-old. After two seasons, where he played a combined 39 games for the Vees, he was traded to the Vernon Vipers. Playing 24 games with the team last year, a lot was expected from him this season and he has certainly not disappointed.

Currently, Dancs sits seventh in league scoring with 67 points in just 55 games played. He attributes his quick development to the coaching and high level of competition he faces night in and night out in the BCHL.

"The quality of coaching in the BCHL has allowed me to learn to play my best against elite opponents," said Dancs.

Along with his emergence as an offensive force for the Vernon Vipers, Dancs has vaulted himself into the conversation as one of the most NHL draft-ready forwards in the league. His ability to consistently play solid hockey every time the Vipers step on the ice, is a main reason why he has garnered such praise. Along with pushing him into next-level consideration, Dancs' performance this season is also one of the major reasons that the Vipers have been able to become a force in the BCHL, a long way from the postseason misses they suffered the last two seasons.

Becoming a legit top-line forward has had many advantages for the 19-year-old, but one of the biggest it has earned him is a chance to play hockey at one of the best universities in the U.S.

"I'm excited to go to the University of Michigan next year," said Dancs. "It is going to be a great opportunity, especially since it's such a great and historic school."

Having the chance to go to an elite Division 1 school in the U.S. is a huge chance for the young forward. He will be following in the footsteps of other BCHL alumni who have excelled in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The likes of Toronto Maple Leafs draft pick and former Salmon Arm Silverback Ben Winnett as well as more recently Minnesota Wild prospect and ex-Victoria Grizzlies defenceman Nolan De Jong are just the tip of the iceberg.

Before Dancs leaves for Michigan in the summer, he still has a lot left to accomplish with the Vipers this season. With Vernon currently sitting in third place, just four points back of Interior division-leading Penticton Vees, the Vipers are happy with how they are rounding into form late in the season.

"We experienced some ups and downs earlier this year, but I think we are really starting to turn it around now," said Dancs. "Around Christmas we really sort of struggled, but after that we have become a better team."

Even if the Vipers don't succeed in the playoffs, which seems unlikely, it will still be a long spring for them, as they will be hosting the RBC Cup in May.

"It definitely is something we think about on a daily basis," said Dancs. "The opportunity to play at home for the RBC Cup means we really don't want to be bounced in the first round then have to wait till May for our chance."