Two-time KIJHL scoring champion Levi Astill is going home to play collegiate hockey with the Concordia University of Edmonton Thunder in the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference next fall.
Astill led the KIJHL in points for a second straight season with a league-leading 60 assists and 87 points in 44 games. The 6-2, 190-pound forward added 15 points in 11 playoff games.
“I think their team has been building under the new coach for the past couple of years,” said Astill, a KIJHL Most Valuable Player and league champion. “It’s a good spot for me. I get to stay at home, and my teammate Logan McCabe has committed there, so I get to play with him as well. I’m just excited for the opportunity.”
Astill completed his three-year Border Bruins career with 227 points in 128 career games. He had 48 points in 39 career playoff games. Astill is the Border Bruins’ new all-time points leader.
During the season Astill felt he became a better player by learning different ways to be successful.
“Coming back in my third year, it didn’t come as easy,” he said. “I had to learn how to play with new guys, new ways to create offence, and ways to make sure you’re always being good defensively. It was definitely a really good learning experience.”
He also credited his time in Grand Forks for maturing as a person as he figured out the direction for his future.
“I was able to go back to the basics — the principles needed not only to become a successful hockey player, but a successful person,” he said. “I was able to bring those traits into all areas of my life, and I’ve really benefited from that.”
