Vancouver Giants forward Ty Halaburda is off to Colorado Springs to study and play hockey next year.
The 19-year-old Victoria product has verbally committed to join the Colorado College Tigers for the 2026-27 season.
"Proud to announce my commitment to play NCAA hockey at Colorado College,鈥� said Halaburda, who has elevated his game as of late. He has 25 points in his last 19 games played (13G-12A) and is currently riding a four-game point streak.
鈥淎 huge thank you to my coaches, management, agent, family, billet family and friends for all their support and guidance throughout this journey,鈥� said the soon-to-be Tiger.
Halaburda is the fourth current Giant to commit to an National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) school, after team captain Mazden Leslie and forward Connor Levis both recently committed to Bowling Green, and Max Muranov committed to Niagara University along with former Giant Tyson Zimmer. These announcements follow the changes to the eligibility rules for NCAA men鈥檚 hockey.
Alternate captain for the second year in a row, Halaburda is having what Giants general manager Barclay Parneta describes as yet another productive season, currently sitting third on the Giants in scoring with 53 points (23-30A) in 52 games.
He recently surpassed the 20-goal mark for the third consecutive season and also recorded his 100th career assist on Valentine's Day, Feb. 14.
Halaburda attended NHL training camp with the Vancouver Canucks in 2024 and has been one of the most reliable players both on and off the ice for the Giants since he was selected in the second round of the WHL prospects draft in 2020.
The lifelong Giant has suited up in 231 regular season games, during which he has recorded 172 points (70G-102A). Halaburda debuted for the G-Men on Oct. 2, 2021 as a 16-year-old against his hometown Royals.
"Ty Halaburda鈥檚 commitment to Colorado College for the 2026-27 season is a well-earned opportunity and a reflection of his dedication,鈥� Parneta said. "Until then, the Vancouver Giants fully support him in his pursuit of an NHL contract, helping him continue to grow both on and off the ice."
Until then, Halaburda 鈥� like the other players who are aging out of WHL play at the end of this season 鈥� still have several games to play at the local level.
In Halaburda's case, he's expected to lace up Saturday, Feb. 22, for a hometown crowd at the 91原创 Events Centre, where the Vancouver Giants take on the Kelowna Rockets at 7 p.m.
Fans can go online to VancouverGiants.com/tickets for more details or call 604-4-GIANTS.
