Nelson Leafs defenceman Robson Cramer has committed to join the Simon Fraser University (SFU) men’s hockey team next season.
The SFU squad made the announcement on Wednesday, calling it the first student athlete commitment for the 2015-16 season.
Cramer, of Summerland is a 20-year-old is a veteran of 163 Kootenay International Junior Hockey League games with Nelson and the Osoyoos Coyotes. He will join SFU in September.
“Robson is a player who has been on our radar for a couple of years now and we know he is very dedicated to both hockey and academics.,” said SFU Men’s Hockey head coach Mark Coletta.
“He is a very skilled, smooth skating defenceman who can contribute offensively. It’s a good thing — a very good thing —- to be able to solidify our team early in the recruiting season with a bonafide top six defenceman.”
Cramer, who is listed at 5’10” and 160 lbs, has 16 goals and 28 assists for 44 points in 37 games thus far in 2014-15. He leads Nelson in scoring and his point total is tops among all blueliners in the KIJHL. Nine of his 16 goals have been scored with the Leafs on the man advantage, which is tied for third-most in the league.
“I am excited to be a part of SFU's outstanding hockey program and attend one of the top universities in the country,” said Cramer.
“I am an offensive defenceman who has solid vision and I feel that I show composure in both the offensive and defensive zones. I am a pretty powerful skater and in the offensive zone, move effectively to help create scoring opportunities.”
The graduate of the North American Prospect Hockey League’s Midget Minor Pikes Peak Miners started his junior hockey career in 2011-12 with Osoyoos, finishing the season with three goals and 34 assists in 49 games as a 17-year-old.
Cramer joined the junior A Wichita Falls Wildcats of the North American Hockey League in 2012-13, but returned to the KIJHL after posting two assists in three games. He was named alternate captain upon his return to Osoyoos and was traded to Nelson in January 2013.
To this point, Cramer’s KIJHL career totals include 30 goals and 100 assists for 130 points in 163 games. He also has a goal and eight assists in 21 career KIJHL playoff games.
“In my first year on campus starting in September, I hope to contribute to SFU winning a championship and to establish myself as a successful student in the business program,” said Cramer.
Cramer is the first recruit thus far in what is expected to be a very strong recruiting class for the 2015-16 season for SFU.
For more information about the SFU Hockey program please visit www.sfuhockey.com.