CALGARY - A talented young hockey player from southeast Saskatchewan is set to play NCAA Division 1 hockey starting next season.
Forward Carson Birnie, who hails from Arcola and currently plays for the Western Hockey League's Calgary Hitmen, has committed to play for the Michigan Tech Huskies.
Birnie played the bulk of his minor hockey in the southeast. He joined the Estevan U18 AAA Bears for their first season in 2020-21 - a season that was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic - and played a full season with the Bears in 2021-22. He was called up by the Estevan Bruins for their SJHL playoff run that season.
Birnie joined the Red Deer Rebels of the WHL for the start of the 2022-23 season and is in his third season in major junior hockey. Earlier this season, he was dealt by the Rebels to the Calgary Hitmen in a multi-player trade. He has 32 goals and 33 assists for 65 points in 168 career WHL games.
Despite his experience in the Western Hockey League, he is eligible to play in the NCAA because of rule changes that take effect next season. Prior to the changes, those who played Canadian major junior hockey were ineligible to compete in the NCAA.
