Portage la Prairie hockey player Cody Durdle will be suiting up for Northlands College in the United States next season.

The 20-year-old committed to play for the NCAA Division III college located in Ashland, Wisconsin, after finishing another year in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League with the Waywayseecappo Wolverines. Durdle recorded 23 points (10-13) in 50 games with the Wolverines last season. He also had a short stint with the Terriers and Oil Capitals.

Durdle's excited to be able to continue his hockey dream for a few more years and says he's been in talks with the school for a while.

"We headed down to the showcase and I was just having one of the times of the season where I was having pretty good ups, there are ups and downs in a season, and it was a time when I was playing really well. We had a pretty good game against the Winkler Flyers, I had a couple of points and talked to the scout after that and they were pretty interested. I was pretty interested in it as well and one thing led to another."

Education has been something Durdle's been looking at pursuing as a career, and he plans to continue it at Northlands.

"My dad is a teacher and it's something I've always wanted to pursue. I'm also going to minor with a Business Degree because you can do anything with that, so if teaching doesn't work out I can have something to work on."

"Hockey in Portage growing up here was amazing, especially with my dad as a coach for a few years..." adds Durdle. "... (Dads) always push a little harder on their kids and I think that really helped me. I really have to thank my parents the most for everything. They've been on me from the start helping me to reach my goal. With the rollercoaster ups and downs of hockey and all the adversity at and away from the rink, they've always been there to talk to me and help me."

He'd also like to thank all of the other coaches he's had that have helped him develop his talent.