The Simon Fraser University Men’s Hockey team has added another big defenseman with the commitment of Matthew Sheeran for the 2015/16 season.  Matt joins the Clan after spending last season recovering from lingering injuries and working as an Assistant Coach with the Kelowna Chiefs of the KIJHL.

Sheeran brings another big bodied defenseman to the Clan blue line, at 6’4″ and 194lbs, he’ll be very difficult to play against in the SFU zone, however it’s not just his size that had SFU Head Coach Mark Coletta interested in blue liner.  “Matt is big, skates well, and can put up points from the blue line.  He is going to be a great addition to our team.”  During his time in the SJHL and VIJHL Sheeran put up 46 points (14g 32a) in his 115 regular season games.  With this commitment, the Clan blue line will be poised to offer another attacking weapon for the team.

Sheeran will have the unique experience of coaching at the junior hockey level, which he feels will help him in dealing with the day to day life of being on the team. ” I had a lot of fun coaching, it helped me learn more about why coaches act in certain situations, it will give me a better understanding of what the coach is trying to accomplish with their actions.”  Coaching and not being able to play helped motivate Sheeran to do everything possible to continue his playing career, ” it nearly killed me that I couldn’t be out there competing with them.”

Coming back to competitive hockey after a year off has Sheeran feeling different emotions.  “I’m a bit nervous about coming back after the layoff, but I will be even more excited to get back out there and play after the year off.”  His time away from the game will help with the challenges that face a player throughout the year as well “after being forced to take a year off, it will help me get through the tough moments you have during the season because I know how it feels to not be able to play.”  Sheeran aims to make a smooth transition to college hockey and student life “I look forward to working towards a degree as well as playing! Not to mention it’s very close to home, friends, and family who will be able to come out to watch at home and on the road.”

Sheeran will be the fifth defenseman of the 2015/16 recruiting class, joining; Valik Chichkin, Dustin Cave, Robson Cramer, and Darnel St. Pierre on what will be a highly competitive blue line.

SFU Men’s Hockey was re-established in 2004 and competes in the British Columbia Intercollegiate Hockey League. The program focuses on competition, academics, and community service as its core values. For more information about the SFU Hockey program, please visit www.sfuhockey.com.