Virden’s Tristen Cross is headed west.
The former Virden Oil Capitals standout defenceman has committed to play for the Selkirk College men’s hockey team. The son of Rick and Donna Cross will be joined at the Castlegar, B.C. school by former Oil Cap Blake Sidoni. Cross, who plans to study engineering, said he chose Selkirk Collegefor a few different reasons.
“They have the courses I need to take in order to further my education … as well as continuing to play hockey for a great program,” he said. “The area in Castlegar is beautiful with plenty of new things to do and see.”
Cross and Sidoni join a Saints squad, four-time winners in the British Columbia Intercollegiate Hockey League and the runner-up in 2018. Cross played three and a half seasons for his hometown Oil Capitals. Last season he had 45 points in 60 games and was a second team Manitoba Junior Hockey League all-star.
“My game has changed and improved over the last four years in Virden and I can’t thank everyone involved with the team enough for helping me get to the next level,” he said in a team media release.
Sidoni joined the Virden team part way through last season from his hometown Trail Smoke Eaters. Along with 47 points in 45 games, the forward provided grit and leadership. He plans to pursue an Associate of Arts and Sciences degree. Sidoni is looking forward to going to a school close to home and reuniting with Cross.
“It’s going to be awesome to get to play with Tristen again,” Sidoni said. “He’s an unreal guy and teammate and, after the year we had, it should be an exciting one coming up.”
