Another 2009 WU Participant to the NHL?

After Japanese ice hockey player Shuhei Kuji, who played for Team Japan at the 2009 Winter Unviersiade in Harbin, China and who was invited to the Development Camp of the New York Islanders from National Hockey League (NHL), the toughest professional ice hockey league in the world, another player has even a closer chance to make it to the NHL pros.

Aaron SorochanAaron Sorochan, the N°1 goalie of Team Canada in the Harbin ice hockey tournament and former backstopper for the Golden Bears of the University of Alberta, is currently at the training camp of the Edmonton Oilers from the NHL, at one time the club of legendary player Wayne Gretzky.

The biggest surprise so far is that Sorochan has outlasted higher ranked goalies and survived a number of player cut rounds so far, which means a pro contract might be lurking around the corner for the U of A alumnus.

It’s not his first stint with the Oilers for Sorochan. When he was in his third season with the U of A Golden Bears, the Edmonton Oilers signed him to an NHL amateur try-out agreement. The 6’0”, 180-pound native of Edmonton dressed as back-up to Mathieu Garon for an Oilers’ game versus the New Jersey Devils when their first goaltender Dwayne Roloson was sidelined due to the flu.

The former Education student was named to the Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) All-Canadian team in 2006-07 and was twice named to the Canada West Hockey first all-star team (2006 & 2007). He won the Clare Drake Award as the CIS Freshman-of-the-Year and was named to the CIS All-Freshman Team in 2005-06, backstopping Alberta to its record-setting 12th CIS University Cup national championship. He also has been named the Canada West Hockey – HUSKY WHL Graduate of the Month for March 2009. Sorochan played five seasons (2000-01 to 2004-05) in the Western Hockey League with Prince Albert, Vancouver and Lethbridge prior to attending the University of Alberta. He won the silver medal with Team Canada at the 2009 Winter Universiade in Harbin.

 2009 WU Gold Medal Game: RUS vs. CAN

Sorochan in action at the 2009 WU