SFU Hockey is pleased to announce a commitment for the 2019/20 BCIHL season from AJHL veteran defenceman Adamu Tanaka.

Tanaka played 3 seasons with the Canmore Eagles before moving to the Calgary Canucks for his final season of junior A hockey. A native of Canmore Alberta, Tanaka stands a modest 5’10” tall but plays a defensively sound style of hockey. Tanaka brings a strong junior resume as well as leadership qualities, having served as an alternate captain for Calgary in his final season.

Tanaka describes himself as a puck-moving defenseman who can generate offence on the breakout. His AJHL stats, 63 points in 181 games, back that up. After a solid junior career, Tanaka is looking forward to a new challenge.

“I have been playing hockey since I’ve been a little kid, and throughout the years I’ve had many great moments but the highlight of my career is most definitely having the privilege to play junior hockey for the past 4 years in the Alberta Junior Hockey League. Those 4 years will forever be in my books, as one of the highlights of my life. Looking ahead I’d like to come in to SFU and find a role in which I can help the team succeed, but while also balancing the academic side of university,” says Tanaka, who plans on entering the Beedie School of Business at SFU.

Tanaka is the sixth recruit announced this offseason following former Surrey Eagles (BCHL) captain Ty Westgard, Edmonton Oil King (WHL) defenceman Jordan Dawson, Red Lake Miners (SIJHL) defenceman Matt Krawiec, North Van Wolf Pack (PJHL) captain Justin Lee, and Richmond Sockeyes (PJHL) Assistant Captain Jake Keremidschieff.

SFU takes on TWU and UBC for the 2019 Captain’s Cup in September prior to kicking off the 2019/20 BCIHL season in October.

Additional announcements are expected in the coming weeks.