Tsawwassen blueliner Vaughan Bamford is headed to Chicago to continue his hockey career and pursue his education by attending Lake Forest College on a scholarship for the 2019-20 season.
The Lake Forest Foresters are a NCAA Division III program that play in the 12-team Northern Collegiate Hockey Association that also includes schools from Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois and Michigan. They are currently ranked No. 30 in the nation.
“I chose Lake Forest because the people, facilities, hockey and education are second to none. I knew it was the place for me the second I stepped on campus,” said Bamford.
The 19-year-old came up through the South Delta Minor Hockey system before joining the Delta Hockey Academy. After a year playing on the DHA Elite 15 and Midget Prep teams, he moved onto the B.C. Major Midget Hockey League with the Greater Vancouver Canadians. Head Coach Phil Alalouf provided an excellent program for Bamford to take his game to the next level.
The 2016-2017 season saw Bamford move up to junior ‘B’ with the Richmond Sockeyes of the Pacific Junior Hockey League.
“I felt I needed to play against bigger, stronger and older players if I wanted to best prepare myself for playing junior ‘A,’” said Bamford. “It really turned out to be a great fit and I learned so much.”
While playing for the Sockeyes, Bamford caught the attention of the Flin Flon Bombers of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League and was offered roster spot for the 2017-2018 season.
The 6-foot-3 and 205-pounder took his game to the Prairies to follow his junior ‘A’ dream.
Bamford has gone on to play nearly 100 regular season games in two seasons with the Bombers.
“The coaches, players, fans and my billet family have all contributed to an amazing experience in Flin Flon,” he said. “Head coach Mike Reagan runs one of the best junior ‘A’ teams in the country.”
It was during this season when Bamford caught the attention of the Lake Forest College coaching staff. Head Coach Patrick Kelliher invited him to Chicago for meetings and a campus tour.
Bamford accepted a scholarship offer and committed to the Foresters program starting in September. He intends on studying finance and economics during his time at Lake Forest.
“Lake Forest presents me with an incredible opportunity to further my hockey career and education,” he added. “I would like to thank my family, coaches and teammates for helping me along the way.”
