REDS Add King

(FREDERICTON, NB) The UNB REDS men’s hockey team, the defending U SPORTS and Atlantic University Sport champions, is adding forward Sam King to their roster for the remainder of the 2023-24 season and beyond.

“It’s always great to be able to add a New Brunswick born student-athlete who has valuable experience in our league, in the AUS playoffs and at the national championship,” said REDS’ head coach Gardiner MacDougall.

After graduating from Saint Mary’s University last year, the Hampton native chased a professional hockey opportunity in the East Coast Hockey League before returning home to work.

“I was working full-time and doing a lot of coaching and still playing a bit,” he said. “The opportunity arose. I’ve always played against UNB, played them in the final and lost, so there’s a sour taste in my mouth there, but having an opportunity to win is something I’ve always wanted. I haven’t been on a winning team since major midget, so I couldn’t pass up this opportunity.”

King played three seasons with the Saint Mary’s Huskies and was part of their team that lost to UNB in the 2023 Atlantic University Sport final.

Prior to that he played parts of five seasons in the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League with Blainville-Boisbriand and Charlottetown, and the Maritime Hockey League with Woodstock and Edmundston.

‘I’m known for speed,” he said. “I’m a gritty guy, I like to be on the forecheck. I’ll be down low in the corners most of the time, moving the puck up to the point and to guys in the slot. I like to use my speed. I’m a fifth-year guy so I bring some experience, been to the national championships twice, played in the AUS finals, so I’m hoping to bring that experience to this group and help these guys win.”

“Sam is a high-energy player with a great work ethic and strong habits,” said Coach MacDougall. “He brings the element of speed, he’s hard to play against, and wins races for pucks so he’ll fit in well.” 

King remembers coming to UNB for hockey camps while growing up and knows what it’s like to be a member of the visiting team at the Aitken Centre.

“Coming from the other side, I know their history, that they’ve got a winning history and they’ve always been an intimidating team to play against, so I’m excited to put on these colours and step out there and get after it.”

King says his family, his fiance’s family, and his friends are all eager to cheer for him as a member of the home team.

STORY BY: Andy Campbell/UNB Athletics

PHOTO BY: Cameron Fitch/UNB Media Services