Coltyn Sanderson, a Weyburn Red Wings alumni, recently won a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) hockey championship with the University of North Dakota Fighting Hawks.
Winning the championship title was a great way for Sanderson to complete his fourth and senior year with the Hawks.
“It was definitely exciting. This was why I came to the university … to play hockey and to win at the championships.”
Sanderson said that his teammates with the Fighting Hawks are a great group of guys to play hockey with. “I have gotten to play with the same guys for a number of years, so they have really become like family to me.”
The Hawks also received great fan support during the NCAA championship. “We had sold out crowds when we played at home, and a great crowd of fans who showed up at our road games.”
There were some major achievements for the Fighting Hawks due to their success at the NCAA championships. University of North Dakota head coach Brad Berry was named national coach of the year by U.S. College Hockey Online (USCHO), capping off a first season behind the bench in which Berry led his alma mater to a national championship.
Senior forward Drake Caggiula was named to the All-USCHO first team, freshman forward Brock Boeser and sophomore goalie Cam Johnson were named to the second team, and junior defenseman Troy Stecher earned all-third team honors.
North Dakota collected its eighth national title with a 5-1 win over Quinnipiac at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Fla. This was the eighth national title for North Dakota in their school history, and their first championship since 2000.
Before the championship game, North Dakota was in the midst of one of its best runs ever. The team finished the 2015-2016 hockey season with one of the top three winning percentages in school history.
There was lots of competition for the Fighting Hawks during the Frozen Four championships.
“There was a high expectation for us to focus on the Frozen Four finals,” said Sanderson. “At the championship level, every game becomes a very important game to win.”
Now with his final season complete with the Fighting Hawks, Sanderson was glad to have finished the year with a championship title. “I was lucky enough to get many different opportunities while playing with the Hawks. It is a great feeling to end the season by winning the championship.”
In his last season with the Fighting Hawks, Sanderson tallied seven goals and five assists through 35 games. Then during the games leading up to the national championship, Sanderson put up a goal and two helpers.
Reflecting back on his time with the Weyburn Red Wings, Sanderson said that being coached by Dwight McMillan had really prepared him for a hockey career at the university level.
“I was a late bloomer in my rookie year with the Red Wings,” said Sanderson. “Dwight gave me a chance to succeed. I can’t say enough about his coaching style.”
Sanderson also noted the support he received from Ron Rumball, who was general manager during the time. He also has a close bond with the other players of that Wings team.
“The whole experience with the Red Wings was the best time of my life.”
Not only did McMillan coach Coltyn, but he also coached Mike Sanderson, Coltyn’s father. Mike had also pursued his hockey career, playing a 13 years as a professional player.
“It is pretty crazy that my dad was lacing up his skates for Dwight. That legacy just gave me even more respect for the man.”
During Coltyn’s time playing with the Red Wings, the Moose Jaw native scored 129 points in 114 games played in two seasons in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League. He was captain of the Red Wings during the 2012 SJHL league finals, where he had scored 18 points in 17 playoff games.
