Flyers’ Aiden Craig-Steele named NPHL rookie of the year

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Fort St. John Senior Flyers forward Aiden Craig-Steele also spent time on UVic’s golf team as a university student (Photos submitted by Aiden Craig-Steele)

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — Aiden Craig-Steele stood out from the crowd to win North Peace Hockey League’s rookie of the year honours, but he’s as apt on the ice as he is on the golf course.

The Fort St. John Senior Flyers forward was named NPHL rookie of the year on Tuesday, February 11th.

While the 24-year-old had a productive campaign, putting up five goals and 10 assists for 15 points this year, he admits he’s unsure about where his sporting future lies.

Despite a junior hockey career which saw him play with his hometown Fort St. John Huskies and in the Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League, a lengthy hiatus meant he didn’t play for four years.

While he was a kinesiology (physical education) student at the University of Victoria (UVic), Craig-Steele walked on with the school’s golf team. He says he began learning the game during high school at Fort St. John Links Golf Club.

“I still love the game [of hockey],” said Craig-Steele. “[I’ve] always been around the game but never actually played.

“I was skating and on the ice with teams and helping out. Once I finished my degree, I came back up here and took a year off.”

Eventually earning a scholarship, his play on the greens helped UVic win the national championship in 2023.

Flyers’ head coach Eric Nystoruk said despite his inexperience in the NPHL, Craig-Steele is one of the team’s leaders both on and off the ice.

“He brings an intensity with people that’s nice to have,” said Nystoruk. “He’s definitely earning his place on the team, and he’ll be a presence on the ice for years to come.”

When the NPHL season ends, Craig-Steele will trade his hockey stick for a golf club once again, working as an assistant golf professional at Taylor’s Lone Wolf Golf Club.

He will also be playing on some Vancouver Golf Tour (VGT) pro events, and sees a long-term goal of playing events on the PGA Tour Canada. Craig-Steele also hopes to study for a Master’s in sports psychology.

“I played in school, and I was kind of peaking,” said Craig-Steele. “I figured there’s no point in giving it up. I might as well give it a go.”

For more information on the Fort St. John Senior Flyers, please visit the team’s Facebook page.