The Kitmart Dundee Stars are delighted to announce the signing of Canadian forward, Colton Kroeker.
The 22-year old joins from USports club, Mount Royal University and head coach, Omar Pacha was pleased to add a large, versatile and skilful attacker.
The Surrey, British Colombia native began his career in 2012-13 with two midget league sides before signing with the Richmond Sockeyes of the Pacific Junior Hockey League, who would later become the PIJHL champions.
In 2012, Kroeker was drafted by the Regina Pats in the WHL Bantam draft and was selected in round 7 at 134th overall.
In the following season Colton played for the Delta Hockey Academy Prep team before finishing the campaign with the Delta Ice Hawks in the PIJHL, where he bagged 10 points in four playoff games.
Then in 2014-15, the six-foot-two centreman joined the Western Hockey League with Regina and began his time in one of Canada’s top junior prospect leagues.
During his second season with the Pats, he was traded to the Lethbridge Hurricanes before after a year later, he was again traded.
Kroeker became part of the Kootenay Ice organisation in the January of 2017 and would stay on to captain their side in the 2017-18 campaign.
In 252 WHL games, Kroeker scored 49 goals and assisted on a further 103 for 152 points.
Last year, Colton joined Mount Royal University and in 28 games, he contributed six goals and 16 assists before making the decision this summer to ply his trade in Europe.
After securing his latest signing, Pacha said:
“What I like about Colton is that he can add offence to our line-up and he was a guy that was a two-way player in juniors and he was able to produce.
“We needed another guy with skill and who can play both sides of the ice, and while he will excel in the middle, Colton is versatile and he can also play on the wing.
“He sees the ice really well, he is a smart player and he can change a game with his size and that is something we wanted to add this summer.
“In the WHL, he had almost two years of a point a game, so you can tell he is able to produce offensively, even in a tough league like that.
“Also, he is a young and hungry guy, he went to university last year and almost put up a point a game but he realised maybe school wasn’t for him and he is ready to make the step up to the professional level.
“I believe he has a lot of potential, it’s his first-year pro and he has a chance to prove to people he is going to be a good young professional.
“We are looking for him to work hard over the summer and get stronger and faster and I am confident he is going to help the team.”
After committing his future to the Stars for next season, Colton said: “I have always wanted to come and play in Europe.
“It is going to be a challenge but I am looking forward to it.
“I have already had a great talk with the coach and I’m super excited to meet all the guys when I come out there and get training camp started, I’m just really excited.”
Season tickets are still available for fans to purchase from the DIA. Buy yours NOW.
Colton is our thirteenth signing of the summer and joins Drydn Dow, Jordan Cownie, Craig Garrigan, Matt Marquardt, Kris Inglis, Shawn Boutin, Alex Leclerc, Justin Maylan, Duncan Speirs, Anthony Beauregard, Brett Stovin and Reilly O’Connor in the line-up for the upcoming Elite League campaign.
Kroeker will wear #21 for Dundee this year.
To view Colton’s career stats on Elite Prospects click HERE.
