Terriers' Dufresne commits to Briercrest

By Dan Falloon of the Portage Daily Graphic

Portage Terriers' defenceman Josh Dufresne is Saskatchewan-bound.

The soon-to-be 20-year-old accepted a scholarship from Briercrest College in Caronport, Sask. and will forgo his final year of junior eligibility in order to play for the Clippers beginning this fall. The Clippers compete in the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference.

The Portage product said that while he loves his hometown, it was just time for a change.

"It's just something I've been thinking about for awhile. It's been on my mind," said Dufresne. "Nothing against our town — I love playing here and the experience that I had — but I just felt like I wanted to move on and grow up, get out of town and expand my horizons."

Dufrense said that he was influenced by Briercrest's rock-solid reputation, and feels that the college will be a place to help him build his Christian faith.

"I've heard nothing but good things. My mentor, Corey Willms, went there," said Dufresne. "He had a great time there. I just really want to build my relationship with Christ."

Dufresne has spoken with coach Terry Dyck, and said that he will be expected to take the place of some graduating players.

"He wants me to fill the void of one of their offensive defencemen who is leaving this year," said Dufresne. "He wants me to play an offensive role, but I'm going to stick with the way I played very similar to this year.

"I play good defensively and try to generate some offence from the back end."

Dufresne wasn't sure which courses he was planning on taking when there, as he hasn't yet received his course calendar, but said that he is leaning towards classes in business.