Former Merritt Centennial Mike Van Unen signs with Adirondack Thunder of ECHL

GLENS FALLS – A former Merritt Centennial is going pro.

The Adirondack Thunder have signed defenseman Mike Van Unen to a standard player contract.

The Thunder are the ECHL affiliate of the New Jersey Devils and Utica Comets.

Van Unen, 25, finished his fifth season at Northern Michigan University and recorded four points in 17 games on the blue line.

In 150 games with Northern Michigan University, the Kamploops, British Columbia native recorded nine goals and 28 assists for 37 points and 181 minutes in penalties.

Van Unen also finished his collegiate career with over 300 blocked shots.

Prior to his college career, the 6-foot-1, 185-pound left-shooting defenseman played three years in the British Columbia Hockey League for the Merritt Centennials and had 46 points (7 goals, 39 assists) in 145 games.

Van Unen was part of the 2016-2019 Merritt Centennials that made the playoffs three seasons in a row.

His departure from the team was felt with the team dropping considerably in the standings after his time with the Centennials came to an end.