Posted: Apr 03, 2020

Szeremley commits to Salve Regina

Garrett Szeremley has committed to playing at Salve Regina University after a season in the MJHL.

NEWPORT, R.I. - Salve Regina University men's ice hockey head coach Zech Klann announces the commitment of Garrett Szeremley (Morden, Manitoba.) for the 2020-21 season.

"Salve Regina Ice Hockey is extremely proud to announce the addition of Garrett and we are excited that he is ready to take the next step in his career as a student-athlete in Newport," said Klann. "Garrett has a tremendous work ethic on and off the ice, to constantly improve in the classroom, gym, and at the rink. His tough, aggressive, physical play will help bolster the Seahawk defense."

Szeremley, a 6-2, 200-pound defensemen, spent last season with the Winkler Flyers of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League (MJHL) and amassed 22 points (8 goals, 14 assists) and 95 penalty minutes.

Coming from a small town in Canada, Szeremley wasn't sure what to expect when he visited Rhode Island. But as soon as he crossed the Newport Bridge and set foot on Salve Regina's historical campus, he was sold.

"It was an easy decision," said Szeremley. "Coming from a small town in Canada I wasn't sure what to expect, but coach Klann and coach Davis were unbelievable. I felt so welcomed, and once I saw the campus and the town it felt right. I knew instantly that Salve Regina was the place I wanted to go."

"Going over the Newport bridge, being used to the frozen tundra as we call it, it was just amazing to see the ocean. It was gorgeous," noted Szeremley.

Szeremley describes himself as a stay-at-home defenseman who takes pride in being a physical force on the back end. It's that defense first mentality that the Seahawks coaching staff is eager to have.

"Garrett is a mature young man and a true leader," said assistant coach Chris Davis. "As coaches we aggressively recruited and pursued him for our program. As a hockey player, I believe he has the physical and mental toughness as well as a natural defending ability to play a shut-down role against other teams' offensive threats. We think he has an upside in his offensive game as he adjusts to the speed at this level of play and develops as a Seahawk hockey player over the next four seasons. Coach Klann and I are eager to get Garrett to Newport this fall and welcome him to campus."

"I'm pumped," said Szeremley. "It's that next stage in your life that you've been looking forward to. As soon as we can get out there and get going, I'm counting down the days, it's going to be awesome."