Defenceman David Melaragni is the latest member of the Cowichan Valley Capitals to commit to an NCAA Div. 1 team for the 2018-19 season.
The Caps’ leading scorer this season, the Philadelphia product has earned a scholarship to Canisius College starting next fall.
Melaragni played under coach Mike Vandekamp with the Nanaimo Clippers in 2017-18, and the coach acquired him during the offseason after he was hired by the Caps. In 57 games this season, Melaragni has posted career highs of 12 goals, 38 assists and 50 points. Across the entire B.C. Hockey League, only two defencemen have put up more points than Melaragni.
Canisius College is located in Buffalo, N.Y., and plays in the Atlantic Hockey Conference. Five BCHL grads are suiting up for the Canisius Golden Griffins this season, and two more are set to join the team next year as well
Other Caps with NCAA commitments for next season include Jordan Robert (Clarkson), Niko Esposito-Selivanov (Lake Superior State), Adam Conquest (Bowling Green), Dimitri Mikrogiannakis (R.I.T.) and Pierce Diamond (Albertus Magnus College).