University of Regina men's hockey head coach Trevor Keeper announced Thursday that Trail Smoke Eaters centre Otto Hanson has committed to the Cougars.

Hanson played 44 games with Trail this season, finishing with six goals and seven assists for a total of 13 points. He played the last half of the 2024-25 season and the first part of 2025-26 with the Swift Current Broncos, appearing in 27 regular season and three postseason games in his time in the Western Hockey League.

"Otto plays a smart, two-way game and we expect him to continue developing into a contributor at the U SPORTS level," Keeper said. "He competes hard, is responsible in all three zones, and brings a strong understanding of the game."

Hanson, who doesn't turn 20 until late June, will become the first men's hockey student-athlete to play for the Cougars with junior eligibility still remaining since defenceman Ryan Dech suited up as a 20-year-old during the 2013-14 season.

Originally from Calgary, Hanson played two seasons at Edge School before moving on to Junior A with the Blackfalds Bulldogs in 2022-23 and 2023-24. He was dealt to the Okotoks Oilers just before the 2024-25 season began and joined Swift Current at the January roster deadline.

Hanson will enroll in the Faculty of Engineering & Applied Science at the U of R and has been accepted into the petroleum systems engineering program.