Keyra Buziak celebrates after a goal with the Saskatoon Stars this season. (Submitted photo/Keyra Buziak)

By Martin Martinson

Saskatoon Stars standout

North Battleford local Buziak commits to Lakeland College

Jan 26, 2023 | 1:34 PM

North Battleford’s Keyra Buziak is Alberta-bound for the next leg of her hockey journey, recently announcing her commitment to Lakeland College for the fall of 2023.

Buziak, who is currently in her third season with the Sask Female U18 AAA Hockey League’s (SFU18AAAHL) Saskatoon Stars, is in the midst of another standout season with the team. Buziak is tied for the club lead and third overall in league scoring, with 34 points in 22 games this year.

The recently turned 18-year-old said she’s looking forward to taking her game to the post-secondary level, with an opportunity that also allows her to pursue the next step in her dream career, off the ice.

“It has always been my goal to go play University hockey, and I’m very happy with my decision as I get to go to Lakeland and take Crop Technology to go into agriculture which is my passion,” Buziak said. “I’ve really wanted to do that since I was a kid, so taking the next step towards that while being able to do both [and continuing to play] is really exciting.”

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Buziak added that her familiarity with a number of local-area athletes also attending Lakeland, also played a role in making the school a natural fit.

“I know lots of people from around North Battleford are already playing or are committed there, and lots of small-town kids are going there which is my kind of environment, so that was in my decision as well,” she said.

Head coach with the Saskatoon Stars, Robin Ulrich said she’s happy to see Buziak continue to pursue her passion for the game at the post-secondary level.

“Keyra had some different options available and some different places that were interested in her, and I think Lakeland’s a great fit for her in terms of where she wants to go for schooling, and a really exciting opportunity for her moving forward with her hockey career, so we’re really proud of her,” Ulrich said.

“She’s a really offensively gifted player that can both score goals and be a playmaker, so I think she’s going to be a great fit and a big part of their lineup going forward,” added Ulrich. “It’s a great opportunity for her to showcase her skill and ability at the next level.”

The Lakeland Rustlers women’s hockey team has proven itself as a prominent program in the ACAC (Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference) in recent years, currently sitting third overall in the league standings this year.

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Martin.Martinson@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @MartyMartyPxP1