Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League

Directwest Commitment: Broncos’ Perkins Commits to NCAA Div I University of Minnesota-Duluth

Photo by Marla Possberg

Via: humbodltbroncos.com

The Humboldt Broncos are extremely proud to announce that Matthew Perkins has announced his commitment to the University of Minnesota-Duluth on a full-ride NCAA Division I Scholarship with the Bulldogs.

Perkins, a 2004-born forward in his first year in the SJHL, is one of the current front-runners for Rookie of the Year. The Balgonie, SK native has compiled 46 points (19g, 27a) in just 40 games this year with the Broncos. He currently sits in 5th in the SJHL scoring race among all aged skaters, 3rd among rookies, and is the only 2004-born player in the Top-50 of the SJHL point leaders.

“From a young age it’s been a dream of mine to get a scholarship and play college hockey,” said Perkins. “It means a lot to me and my family, and this has truly been a mind-blowing experience and opportunity.”

Perkins went undrafted in the WHL as a bantam aged prospect. However, he was immediately noticed by the Broncos’ scouting staff who took him 32nd overall in the 2019 SJHL Bantam draft. In a crucial part of development, Perkins was faced to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic, limiting him to just six games in what would have been his first full season of U18 AAA hockey with the Moose Jaw Warriors in 2020/21.

Following that abbreviated season, he immediately made the jump to the SJHL and hasn’t looked back, a testament to his hard work and determination off the ice throughout the pandemic.

“The Broncos organization is very proud and happy for Matthew and his family on his commitment to UMD,” said Head Coach and GM, Scott Barney. “The hard work he has shown up to this date is a big reason for his success that he is very much deserving of. We look forward to continuing to develop his skills to get him ready for this next level in his career.”

The University of Minnesota-Duluth is one of the highest regarded hockey schools in all of NCAA Division I. The Bulldogs have won the NCAA National Championship in 2011, 2018, and 2019 and have made the ‘Frozen Four’ in four of the last five seasons.

“It’s awesome to see all the hard work paying off, but the really hard work is just getting started. Our goal right now is to hoist that SJHL trophy over our heads at the end of the year and bring Humboldt a championship. I can’t wat to see what the future holds, and I want to give a huge thanks to everyone who has helped me along the way, especially my parents, I couldn’t have done it without you guys.
GO DAWGS!!”– Matthew Perkins.

The Humboldt Broncos would like to extend our highest congratulations to Matthew and his family.