The Surrey Eagles have added to their defensive unit by announcing that Elijah Vilio has committed to the team for the upcoming 2016-17 BCHL season. The 19-year-old Vilio played last season with the Aldergrove Kodiaks of the PJHL, where he recorded 14 points in 36 games.
Vilio is a puck-moving and playmaking defenceman, who is also very sound defensively. One of his best attributes is his skating ability, which should be very useful on the Olympic-sized ice surface at the South Surrey Arena. His 6-foot, 175 pound frame means that he also does not shy away from the physical side of the game.
He hasn’t always been a defenceman, either – switching to the new position just last year. It’s safe to say that it was a positive transition, and he has found a new home on the back end.
Although he is a native of Aldergrove, BC, he does have a connection to the Surrey area.
“I really wanted to play in Surrey because of the larger ice surface,” Vilio said, when reached for a comment. “My dad was born and raised in Surrey, and my grandparents and many of my relatives currently live there. I’m very familiar with the area, and it should be a great place to play hockey.”
Jumping from the PJHL to the BCHL will be a challenge, but it’s one that he looks forward to at this point in his career. He’ll be working all offseason to prepare himself for the physicality of the league.
“The players are going to be bigger and faster,” Vilio commented. “I have to be ready to use my skating and playmaking ability to my advantage.”
Vilio is also an accomplished roller hockey player. He won a bronze medal with Team Fraser Valley at the 2012 BC Summer Games, which was held in Surrey. He will also be playing for Team Canada’s U18 team at the AAU Junior Olympics in Hawaii later this summer.
“I want nothing more than to win with the Eagles,” Vilio asserted. “I’m going to work extremely hard in the offseason to make sure I can contribute.”
