Thunderbirds Welcome Kakoske To UBC:

This is in todays Morning Star Newspaper:

Thunderbirds welcome Kakoske to UBC

By Graeme Corbett - Vernon Morning StarPublished: July 10, 2008 6:00 PM

When Ryan Kakoske was first called up to the Vernon Vipers as an 18-year-old affiliate in the 2005-06 season, current captain Chris Crowell remembers wondering whether he would ever fit the mold of a B.C. Hockey League defenceman.After three years of playing alongside Kakoske and witnessing his transformation into a rock-steady blueliner, there’s no doubt in Crowell’s mind.“He’s gone from barely being able to hold his own in junior hockey to becoming our most reliable defenceman,” said Crowell. “It’s not a fluke to see how he progressed, it was through hard work. There’s not a lot of flash, but he’s a strong, shutdown defenceman, and he’s a great guy to play with.”The Vipers started last season with a rookie-laden blueline, and if it weren’t for Kakoske’s veteran presence, opposing teams would have had an easy time picking the Snakes apart.Kakoske’s no-nonsense style grabbed the attention of the UBC Thunderbirds head coach Milan Dragicevic, who offered the 6-foot-2, 200-pound Vernon minor hockey product a scholarship to play with them this fall.“We are happy to add Ryan to our team at UBC,” said Dragicevic. “He will bring character, size and a winning attitude to our team. Anytime you can add a player of Ryan’s stature, it makes your team that much tougher to play against.”Added Crowell: “It’s good to see him get something. With UBC’s hockey program, their academics, the Olympics coming to Vancouver… it’s a good decision.”In 60 games last season, Kakoske fired two goals and supplied 16 helpers with 64 penalty minutes. He recorded 27 points and 132 PIM in 151 BCHL games.He played in all situations and did many little things that often don’t show up on the score sheet. When Crowell had to miss games due to a suspension, Kakoske was the logical choice to wear the ‘C’.Kakoske recently received the Mark Nelson Memorial Award, which is annually presented to a local athlete who shows perseverence and excellence.“Marty Stein (Detroit Red Wings scout) got my name out there for them (UBC) to see,” said Kakoske, who visited the UBC campus in May before reaching his decision last month. “In the end, I felt the quality if hockey was better in the CIS than NCAA Division 3, and there aren’t many schools better than UBC academically.“I’m looking forward to testing myself against the Western (Hockey) League guys.”There’ll be at least one familiar face on the T-Birds’ roster since his cousin, Jordan Inglis of 100 Mile Ranch, will play with UBC. Inglis, who played for Prince George Spruce Kings and Cowichan Valley Capitals of the BCHL, played with the Wayne State University Warriors last season, but their hockey program folded.Kakoske, who will live in residence this fall, plans to start an economics program and then switch into business.Meanwhile, he’s spending the summer working as a landscaper and, as always, putting his time in at the gym. He’ll also be lending his defensive expertise to the next generation of would-be Vipers at Vernon minor hockey’s summer camps.