THE UNH MEN'S HOCKEY BLOG: Incoming UNH Freshman Marcus Vela

Marcus Vela - Forward #17

For the 2015-16 season, the UNH hockey team welcomes six freshmen. The Class of 2019 includes 5 forwards - Marcus Vela, Ara Nazarian, Jason Kalinowski, Chris Miller, and Frankie Cefalu - and defenseman Matt Dawson. Here is a profile of Marcus Vela, including a new interview with his former coach Bobby Henderson.

Marcus Vela
Last Team: Langley Rivermen
British Columbia Hockey League
DOB: 3-3-1997 Hometown: Burnaby, BC
Forward, 6'2", 200 lbs. Shoots Right
Commit to UNH: 9-25-2013 at Age 16 years, 6 months.
Signed National Letter of Intent: 4-21-2015

Coach's Report

Throughout the 2013-14 and 2014-15 regular seasons and BCHL Playoffs, Marcus Vela was coached by Bobby Henderson, Head Coach and General Manager of the Langley Rivermen. This week, I had an opportunity to interview Coach Henderson regarding Vela's strengths and readiness for NCAA hockey:

Mike Lowry ("C-H-C"): What are Marcus' strengths and how did he develop during last season with the Rivermen?
Coach Bobby Henderson: It was a treat coaching Marcus the past two seasons. Marcus is a very versatile two way forward. His physicality and hockey sense our his two best attributes in my opinion. Right of out the gate as a 16 year old we were able to use Marcus in a primarily defensive role. He played head to head against teams top lines and was relied heavily on as a penalty killer.
As the season progressed and into his second season, Marcus really started to produce consistently. He was on our top line all year as well as on our top power play unit. We also continued to use him in all defensive situations like the season before. He was our guy in key defensive zone face offs, penalty kill and shut down situations.

Mike Lowry: What kind of adjustments will Marcus need to make as he begins his NCAA career?
Coach Henderson: Marcus has all the tools to make smooth transition to college hockey. I think like any player there will be a bit of a transition period as he adjusts to the pace of play. With his work ethic and character it shouldn't take long for the UNH staff to have confidence to use him in all situations.

2014-15 Achievements

~ Drafted in the 7th Round (170th Overall) of the 2015 NHL Entry Draft by the San Jose Sharks.
~ Played for Team Canada West in the 2014 World Junior A Challenge and the 2015 Canadian Junior Hockey League Prospects Game.
~ BCHL "Player of the Week" March 3, 2015
~ Regular Season: 3rd Leading Rivermen Scorer (49 pts) and goal-scorer (20).