Vos commits to Dalhousie Tigers
Western Capitals forward thrilled to continue playing career in competitive AUS
“... Dalhousie seemed to be the best fit for me ...”
Reid Vos Western Capitals forward
Phone calls from his former and current head coach have laid the foundation for the next stop in Reid Vos’ hockey career. Vos, a forward with the Summerside D. Alex MacDonald Ford Western Capitals from Sherwood, P.E.I., is in his final season of junior A eligibility and has signed a letter of intent to play for the Dalhousie Tigers of the Atlantic University Sport (AUS) Men’s Hockey Conference next season.
“First of all, having his former coach, Laurie Barron, and his current coach, Billy McGuigan, contact me with rave reviews about his character, we are always looking to add those types of players to our dressing room,” Tigers head coach Chris Donnelly told SaltWire in a phone interview. “I had a conversation with Reid, he liked what we are offering and we liked what he could bring to our hockey team, so it seems like a perfect fit right now.”
Vos, who will study commerce at Dalhousie, said it’s super exciting to sign the letter of intent and know where he’ll be playing next season.
“Dalhousie is a prestigious school, and they have a good hockey program there, too,” said Vos, 21. “I was weighing out a couple of options, but Dalhousie seemed to be the best fit for me and I’m super excited to get going.”
Vos, who is in his fourth season playing in the Maritime Junior Hockey League, played the first three seasons under Barron with the Yarmouth Mariners. The Caps acquired Vos in a trade following last season.
Vos recorded 45 points, including 26 goals, in 52 regular-season games with the Caps after recording 49 points, including 22 goals, in 50 contests with the Mariners during the 2022-23 campaign.
Vos has also proven to be a big-game performer as he recorded 12 points in 12 playoff games and scored three-game winning goals in helping Yarmouth win the MHL championship a year ago.
Now Vos is hoping history repeats itself with the Capitals, who clinched their first-round series against Yarmouth on March 26 and will face the Amherst Ramblers in the Eastlink South Division final series. Game 1 is in Summerside on April 2 at 7 p.m.
“In watching him play, I like his style of game,” said Donnelly. “He plays an honest game and has a bit of a scoring touch that should transfer well to our league.
“Our conference is super tough, and it’s a big jump from junior hockey to our league, but he has a certain style of game that will be transferable, and he should have some success with us.”
McGuigan said the Tigers are adding a quality individual in Vos, who is a member of the Caps’ leadership group and an assistant captain.
“First of all, Reid is an outstanding kid,” said McGuigan. “He’s a really nice kid and is obviously a good student when he can go to Dalhousie University, a prestigious school.”
In addition to his play, McGuigan praised Vos for his approach when it comes to helping the team and taking on more responsibility.
“He’s played great for us this year and has 26 goals,” said McGuigan. “He wanted to move to centre; we had a conversation (before Game 5 against Yarmouth on March 26) that he would like to go back to centre. We tried to make that happen and he was really good (in Game 5).
“He was really good throughout the series and was looking for a little more ice time, minutes and we have to try and find that for him.
He’s a great player on our team and he’s been a factor throughout the year.”
Vos said it means a lot to be able to make the jump to university hockey.
“Watching UPEI games growing up, it’s always been such good hockey and the AUS is the best league in Canada, so I’m glad to get an opportunity,” said Vos. “You always want to go play pro, and I feel that is one of the steps along the way, but I always wanted to make sure I get something out of hockey and it’s good to go to a good school.”