The Nanaimo Clippers have added a much needed veteran defenceman to their defensive core as they head into the home stretch of the 2021-2022 season. Alek Sukunda is a 20-year-old right-handed D-man that played his minor hockey at the Burnaby Winter Club. He excelled at the BWC and was drafted in the 6th round of the WHL Bantam draft by the Moose Jaw Warriors. After 2 seasons in Major Midget (BCEHL), where he added 8 goals and 20 assists for 28 points in 75 games, Alek moved on to the Powell Rover Kings for the end of the 2017-2018 season. Sukunda then played two seasons for the Moose Jaw Warriors appearing in 72 games in the WHL. He returned last year to the BCHL playing for Coquitlam Express.
Darren Naylor, Head Coach and GM, noted; “Alek is a big body veteran D-man who will fit in nicely in our top 4. He plays a physical style game, makes a good 1st pass and can play against others team’s top forwards. I am impressed with his agility and his ability to angle out forwards. He has come a long way since the BWC days where I became familiar with him as an elite level 2001 player.”
Wesley Mussio, President and Owner, added; “Alek is one of many BWC players Naylor and I have brought into the Clippers program. I can’t say enough about how the BWC is able to develop high-end talent year after year. Naylor and I were part of the BWC for the better part of a decade and have seen many BCHL/WHL level players coming out of the program. With regards to Alek, he fits our needs for a shut- down style d-man that is hard to play against. We are nearing our final roster and Alek was definitely a necessary addition to the team as we push for 1st place in the Conference and a long playoff run.”
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