HUMBOLDT — The next step in Jerzy Orchard’s hockey career takes the Humboldt Broncos forward back to British Columbia.
The 21-year-old Delisle product recently announced his commitment to the Simon Fraser University men’s hockey. The well-regard school, which has its main campus in Burnaby, B.C., ices a team in the British Columbia Intercollegiate Hockey League.
“I was super drawn to the academics to begin with, but the hockey program is also very appealing,” Orchard said. “Everyone I’ve talked with from there has been super helpful and made it a super easy choice for me.”
He plans on a joint major of psychology and business at SFU. The SFU men’s hockey team went undefeated this past season and claimed the BCIHL championship. The team included former Bronco Austen Flaman. The SFU squad announced earlier this year that next season’s schedule will include NCAA Division I and U Sports foes.
Going to SFU takes Orchard back to B.C. He started his junior career, in 2018-19, with the Western Hockey League’s Kamloops Blazers. The next season Orchard spent time with the WHL’s Saskatoon Blades, but it was also the start of his tenure with the Merritt Centennials of the B.C. Hockey League. Orchard spent parts of three seasons in Merritt before being swapped to the Broncos early this year.
“Jerzy bought into our systems and our beliefs extremely quickly,” Broncos head coach Scott Barney said on the team’s website. “He is a player with high end skill who elevates his teammates with his play on a nightly basis. SFU is getting a top-notch character individual and a great hockey player. We wish him all the best.”
Orchard scored nine goals and recorded 19 points in 22 regular season games for the Broncos. In the postseason, he had two goals and seven points in 11 contests. While his time in Humboldt was relatively short, he will not soon forget it.
“I enjoyed everything in Humboldt,” Orchard said. “From the group of guys we had, to our coaching staff, community and billets. It was a great place to end my junior career and am super thankful for everyone who was a part of it.”
