Jackson Fellner. (submitted photo/Clark Stork)

By Ben Tompkins

Next Step

Fellner commits to NCAA Div III

May 9, 2023 | 1:47 PM

The Nipawin Hawks will now be without their number one goaltender, a year earlier than they had originally anticipated.

Jackson Fellner, a 2003-born netminder was set to return for his final year of Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) eligibility, before ultimately deciding to begin his academic career 12 months early.

The Regina product committed to the Alvernia University Golden Wolves in NCAA Division III hockey for the 2023/24 season.

When asked why he wanted to start his journey now, Fellner told northeastNOW he wanted to “get to school already and not waste another year.”

“I’m very excited, they seem like they’re very interested in me and they got a good opportunity for me to get my school going and continue my hockey career and seems like an all-around good option for me,” Fellner said.

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“I think that I wanted to jump up to the next level because I wanted to start my schooling as soon as possible. It’s still another opportunity for me to even jump up to division one if I have a good year this year as well, but the main reason would probably be for schooling.”

Fellner spent parts of two seasons in the SJHL, with the Weyburn Red Wings, Melfort Mustangs, and Nipawin Hawks.

With Weyburn and Melfort, he didn’t have the best numbers, posting a goals against average above four and a sub .900 save percentage, to go along with a 6-18-1 record in 28 combined games.

Fellner really began to find his game with Nipawin this season, however, registering a 2.95 goals against, a .900 save percentage, and an 18-10-2 record in 31 regular season contests.

Prior to that, the 6-2, 179-pounder backstopped the Battlefords Stars U18 AAA club for two seasons, along with stints with the Regina Pat Canadians U18 AAA team, the Regina Vics U18 AA squad, and the Regina Aces U15 AA organization.

Other teams Fellner suited up for include the Camrose Kodiaks of the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL) and the Regina Capitals of the Prairie Junior Hockey League (PJHL).

The new maroon and gold player plans to go through the engineering program and thanked those who have helped him get to where he is today.

“I had a couple of other options but this one seemed to be the best fit for me,” Fellner added. “Thanks to everyone, especially my parents who kept pushing me even though I had a bumpy road at the start of the year this year, and thanks to Nipawin, especially coach Tad (Kozun) and everyone there for giving me an opportunity and letting me showcase what I got.”

Alvernia University competes as part of the Middle Atlantic Commonwealth Conference.

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Ben.Tompkins@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter @BenTompkins_8