Addition of Nick Czinder will add size and grit to Panthers attack
The UPEI Men's Hockey Panthers will soon have a new face in the lineup with the addition of right-winger Nick Czinder from West Bloomfield, Michigan.
At 6'5" and 235lb, Czinder says his game is at its best when he is using his size and strength to create traffic in front of the net, as well as being strong on the puck along the boards in both ends of the rink.
'The strength of my game is being hard on pucks, working down low on the cycle and creating offensive chances by working hard,' said Czinder, who scored 13 goals last year in the OHL while splitting time between Kitchener and Peterborough. He had 15 goals with the Windsor Spitfires in 2011-12. Czinder finished last season in the East Coast Hockey League with San Francisco.
UPEI Head Coach Forbes MacPherson says he has been was working for a number of months recruiting Czinder and having him enrolled at the University is welcome news for the future of the men's hockey program.
'Nick plays with a high competitive level, plays in the tough areas, will wear down opponents and be a presence in front of the net,' says MacPherson. 'The game he plays will be a great complement to our team's style of play.'
As the power forward has been recovering from injury, MacPherson says he wants to wait until Czinder is fully ready to go before inserting him into the lineup.
'This isn't an easy league to just jump into, so we want to have Nick in game shape and fully ready to go before we put him into uniform,' MacPherson says. 'From what we have seen in practice, we like how he skates and moves the puck. He will be a welcome addition to the lineup.'
Czinder says he is impressed with the high quality of hockey in the Atlantic Conference and he is adapting well to life on Canada's east coast. He says he is adjusting to the routine of being a student while getting back into game shape, but he says the weather is taking some getting used to.
'I've seen more snow in my first week here then I am accustomed to, but everyone has been very friendly and welcoming which has made the transition much easier.'
UPEI Athletics and Recreation Director Bill Schurman praised the addition of Czinder to the UPEI family. 'I would like to welcome Nick to the University of Prince Edward Island. I know he will be a great addition to our men's hockey program and to our friendly Island campus,' says Schurman.
For information:
Ron Annear
UPEI Athletics & Recreation
(902) 566-0991
annear@upei.ca
