Theo Naidu of the Grand Forks Border Bruins has committed to play collegiate hockey for the Arcadia University Knights in the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division 3 this fall.
Arcadia University is based in Glenside, Pa., near the Philadelphia metro area.
The 20-year-old Edmonton native had a career season in points with 17 in 39 regular season games. Naidu capped his Kootenay International Junior Hockey League career with a KIJHL Teck Cup championship and a Mowat Cup provincial championship. Naidu collected six points in 17 playoff games.
“We’re very excited to have Theo committed for the upcoming season,” said Knights head coach Ryan Heickert. “Theo is a big body power-forward who fits the way we want to play hockey. We like his hockey sense and ability to penalty-kill.”
Heickert added more importantly is the person Naidu is.
“He’s a high character person that brings a work ethic and leadership we are always looking for in our players,” he said.
In his three-year career with the Border Bruins, the 6-4, 226-pound forward played in 101 KIJHL regular season games and had nine goals, 22 assists for 31 points. He played in 33 KIJHL Teck Cup playoff games scoring five goals, adding two assists for seven points.
Naidu is a product of the SSAC Athletics U18AA 2 program. The Knights program completed its fourth season and went 11-12-2.
