Historic year for South Kent hockey

  • 2013-11-20
  • By TBT staff, RIGA

Four seniors at South Kent School in the American state of Connecticut have been selected during National Signing Week for Division I NCAA universities, reports the school in a press release.

This news comes shortly after the Selects Academy at South Kent U18 National team brought home a New England Regional title earlier in the month.

“We have never had four players signing at once at this point in the year,” Selects Academy at South Kent U18 National Head Coach Matt Plante said.

The signing period started last Wednesday, Nov. 13 and continues until Nov. 20. Of the four high school students selected, Roberts Smits ‘14, a center (C) from Riga, Latvia, signed with The University of Alabama in Huntsville. “This is a huge relief. I feel very fortunate to be able to play college hockey in America,” he said. “I want to give a big thanks to my friends and family for all of your support.”

After the signing, Coach Plante shook his players’ hands and spoke about his pride at this achievement. “These four guys are really the pioneers of this program [Selects Academy at South Kent]. They were there when it was just a U16 (16 and under) team and then when we transitioned to U18 (18 and under),” Plante said. “They’ve really transformed the culture of this hockey program. They have a great work ethic and positive mentality. It is befitting that these guys get this opportunity and I'm thrilled to have had the chance to work with them.”

South Kent School says it offers the best of both worlds, allowing students to have both a top-tier private boarding school education while at the same time playing the highest level and most competitive AAA hockey available in the northeastern United States. South Kent offers a one-of-a-kind elite ice hockey program with a unified school team that is not limited to the 33-game prep schedule.