Kam River to Oregon … again
A third soon to be graduating member of the Kam River Fighting Walleye of the Superior International Jr. Hockey League is heading to the University of Oregon and its Division 1, American Collegiate Hockey Association program effective the 2022-2023 season.
20-year old forward Dayton Clarke is the latest member of the Fighting Walleye to commit to wearing a Ducks of Oregon jersey next season.
“I am excited to move on to the next chapter in my hockey career,” Clarke said. “I would like to thank my family, coaches, and everyone who has supported me up to this point. Also thanks to the Kam River Fighting Walleye organization for their amazing hospitality, and having such an impact on getting me to the next level.”
Clarke, a 20 year old native of Victoria, B.C., has played 12 games for the Fighting Walleye since being acquired at the Canadian Jr. Hockey League’s January 10 trade deadline. The hulking forward has 10 goals, four assists, 14 points with the Fighting Walleye. Prior to his move to Kam River, Clarke netted 12 goals, one assist, 13 points in 20 games for the Elliot Lake Red Wings of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League.
Kam River general manager Kevin McCallum swung the four player trade with Elliot Lake that landed Clarke for the Fighting walleye.
“When (general manager) Mark Savery of the Elliot Lake Red Wings gave me permission to talk to Dayton, before our trade, the main point I wanted to get across to Dayton was that if he came here he would be playing college hockey next season. Now we look forward to watching the big man’s future with the Ducks,” McCallum said.
“We are thrilled to have Dayton commit to being a Duck for the next four years,” said Oregon head coach Rylee Orr. “When talking with GM Kevin McCallum he really sold us on Dayton’s leadership on and off the ice and his commitment to the game and his craft. We feel like we are getting a guy who is going to be a big part of continuing to elevate our program.”
The University of Oregon men’s hockey program makes the move up to Division 1 ACHA next season, and will feature three current Fighting Walleye players as freshmen. In addition to Clarke, forward Alex Enegren and goaltender Austin Madge will be donning Ducks jerseys next season.
“Rylee Orr has made three really good decisions with the caliber of players and people he’s bringing into his program, and we look forward to working with Rylee and the Oregon Ducks for many more years,” McCallum added. “When we recruit for our program we choose great people first, and the rest is a bonus. College coaches know that we bring in great kids and have created a winning team culture which creates individual successes.
“Our staff works tirelessly to move our players on to the next level,” McCallum continued. “We have led the SIJHL in commitments in our short history and that is something that we as an organization take great pride in.”
Now if Sault College can join that group of graduating players coming our way, the connection will be complete. A Canadian ACHA D-2 Championship hockey program which has baseball added to our college sports program. Players could be dual athletes here.