A key piece of the Princeton Posse defensive core will be joining his captain and other former teammates as he gets set to continue his hockey career.
Defenceman Grady Sterling-Ponech announced that he has committed to play for the Springfield, Missouri, based Drury University Panthers in the American Collegiate Hockey Association this fall after his three-year stint with the Posse in the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League (KIJHL) came to a close. The Lethbridge, Alta. native will join his Posse captain, Tyson Horiachka, who also committed to the Panthers last week.
“I’m excited to commit to Drury University," he said. "I wouldn’t have been able to do this without my time in the KIJHL, all the support I have received from my family and teammates, billet family, and the rest of the Posse organization."
Sterling-Ponech took on a much larger offensive role this past season, leading all Posse blueliners in assists with 32 and in points with 39 in 44 games. He also added seven goals, which was second among Posse d-men.
“I think my offensive game improved this year,” he said. “I had more confidence with the puck and video sessions with our coaching staff helped with my confidence and awareness.”
Sterling-Ponech finishes his Posse career with nine goals, 54 assists and 63 points in 96 regular season games. He added two goals and 15 assists in 52 playoff games and helped the Posse reach the Teck Cup Final in 2023.
Former teammates Lucas Sadownyk and Anmol Garcha, as well as 11 other KIJHL alumni, are also in the Panthers program and will be awaiting Sterling-Ponech's arrival in the fall.
