Former Predators defender, 16, commits to New Hampshire college program

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — While she isn’t still finished with high school, a female hockey player with ties to northeast B.C. is already committed to where she’s heading afterwards.

Just 16 years old, Jasmin Bueckert announced her commitment to attending Saint Anselm College in New Hampshire for the 2027-28 season.

Now playing in Edmonton for the Okanagan Hockey Academy’s U-18 prep team, Bueckert played two seasons for the northeast B.C. Predators in 2022-23 and 2023-24.

The team confirmed the news in a Facebook post on Friday, October 3rd, praising Bueckert’s talent.

The post reads: “We’re so proud to watch her continue her hockey journey at the next level and know she’ll keep inspiring the next generation of female athletes with her passion, dedication and leadership.”

In her two seasons with the Predators, Bueckert had two goals and 17 assists from 62 regular-season games in the U-13 and U-15 programs.

So far, Bueckert has one assist from six games so far in the Canadian Sport School Hockey League (CSSHL) season in 2025-26.

In heading to New Hampshire, Bueckert will join a team who finished the 2024-25 season with a record of 20 wins, 16 losses and one tie.

In a statement to Energeticcity.ca, Saint Anselm women’s head hockey coach Sam Ftorek said Bueckert had caught his attention at the Eyes hockey showcase in Calgary this summer, describing her as “a powerful player with a high hockey I.Q. and an exceptional compete level.”

“[Bueckert’s] game is mature beyond her years and there is a poise that she plays with that as a [coaching] staff, we want in our program,” said Ftorek. “When trying to make an impact at the D-1 level, we need to recruit great players and people.

“We are excited to have Jasmine coming to the Hilltop.”

More details about the northeast B.C. Predators are available on their Facebook page.