Cougars receive commitments from Nielsen, Scott

REGINA, Sask. - University of Regina men’s hockey head coach Blaine Sautner announced Wednesday that defenceman Russell Nielsen and forward Justin Scott have committed to the Cougars and will join the team beginning in 2008-09.

Nielsen served as the captain of the Humboldt Broncos last season and led the team to a spectacular postseason that was capped by a national Junior A championship. Nielsen, who hails from Wilkie, scored six goals and added 17 assists for 23 points in 29 playoff games during the Broncos’ run to the RBC Royal Bank Cup.

“He’s a guy that’s won a ton in the last couple seasons and he’ll bring great leadership to our team,” Sautner said. “When you talk to the coaches from Humboldt, he’s the first guy that’s mentioned when you ask them who contributed most to their success. Russ moves the puck very well and he’s a very intelligent player.”

Nielsen scored eight goals and 22 assists in 44 regular season games for Humboldt, helping the Broncos to a stellar 48-9-1 record. The Broncos defeated Nipawin, Flin Flon, and Kindersley en route to the SJHL championship, then went on to sweep the Portage Terriers to claim the ANAVET Cup and punch their ticket to the national championship tournament.

Nielsen, who checks in at 5’10” and 190 lbs., played for three seasons in Humboldt, scoring 16 goals and 56 assists in 138 career regular season games.

After completing a four-season career in the WHL with Moose Jaw, Red Deer, and Regina, Scott took the 2007-08 season off and enrolled in classes at the U of R as a full-time student. Scott, who is listed at 6’2” and 204 lbs., last played as a 19-year-old and scored four goals and 10 assists in 61 games for the Pats.

“Justin was an offensive guy coming out of midget and put up good numbers as a 17-year-old in Moose Jaw,” Sautner said. “He was put in a role as a third-line centre and a penalty killer in his last two seasons. He’s a good skater, competes hard, and blocks shots. We hope he can come in and gain some offensive confidence and score some goals for us.”

Born in Yorkton, Scott played in 236 regular season games in the WHL, scoring 16 goals and adding 33 assists for 49 points. He also played in 16 postseason games during his four years in major junior.

Nielsen and Scott are the fifth and sixth members of the U of R’s 2008 recruiting class.

2008 U of R Men’s Hockey Recruiting Class D Ryan Bender (6-1/212, 1st) - Regina (WHL) D Dylan Chapman (6-4/226, 1st) - Chilliwack (WHL) D Russell Nielsen (5-10/190, 1st) - Humboldt (SJHL) F Matt Sawa (6-2/200, 1st) - Kindersley (SJHL) F Ryan Sawka (5-11/180, 1st) - Kindersley (SJHL) F Justin Scott (6-2/204, 1st) - Regina (WHL)

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