Kostiuk signs with Prince Albert in WHL
Advertisement
The biggest news in junior hockey in the last decade was earlier this season, when the NCAA finally lifted their restriction on major junior players, and the ripple effects are continuing into 2024.
Jackson Kostiuk, a 2006-born forward from East St Paul, has left the Steinbach Pistons to sign a scholarship and development with the Prince Albert Raiders of the Western Hockey League.
Kostiuk is only the second non WHL-affiliated player to leave the Manitoba Junior Hockey League since the rule change, following goaltender Raiden LeGall’s departure from Niverville.
In 29 games with Steinbach this season, Kostiuk was scoring at more than a point per game pace, notching 11 goals and 23 assists. Last season he scored 31 points in 45 games for the Pistons.
Kostiuk has not yet to committed to an NCAA team.
Kostiuk isn’t the only MJHL pick-up by Prince Albert this season.
Former Norman Blizzard Ethan Bibeau had already committed to the WHL franchise before the start of this season, and has fit in with the team so far, scoring 10 points in 33 games for the major junior club.