Avalanche blueliner going Division I

Dec. 26, 2006

By Jeremiah Bartz/ Frontiersman

WASILLA - It's hard to say what is more impressive - Jeff Dimmen's numbers on the ice, or off.

Both factored into Dimmen, a defenseman with the Alaska Avalanche, landing a scholarship to attend Canisius University next fall and play hockey for the Golden Griffins.

On the ice, Dimmen has posted four goals and 35 assists in 61 games for the Wasilla-based Junior A hockey franchise. He led his team with 20 assists last season. This year, the team captain posted two goals and 15 assists in 21 games before suffering a hamstring injury.

Off the ice, Dimmen is praised for his intellect. He graduated from high school with a 4.3 GPA.

Dimmen said academics factored into his choice. He plans to pursue a career in medicine.

&#8220Jeff is as bright a player as any I've coached,” Alaska coach and general manager Keith Morris said.

Morris said Dimmen brings a complete package to a squad that includes both brain and brawn.

&#8220He's an outstanding student and an outstanding player who plays with a suit of armor out there,” Morris said.

Dimmen, a native of Colorado Springs, Colo., said he has had aspirations of play hockey at the college level since he first started to lace up the skates as a 9-year-old.

Dimmen also considered Holy Cross, and had talks with UAA and Colorado College. But Canisius ponied up the best offer.

Canisius competes in the Division I Atlantic Hockey Conference. Dimmen is the second player Avalanche player in the last month to sign with a Division I program.

Forward Brad McCabe inked a National Letter of Intent to join UAA next fall.

Dimmen has been out of the lineup since tearing his hamstring in a game against Bismarck on Nov. 16, but is expected to return after the holiday break.

Contact Frontiersman sports editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com.