ESPANOLA, Ont. – The Espanola Express of the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League are proud to announce that forward Chase Lammi has committed to St. Lawrence University Saints to play NCAA Division One Hockey.
The commitment is for the 2022-23 hockey season and Lammi plans on studying Mathematics at St. Lawrence.
St. Lawrence University is located in Canton, N.Y., and competes out of the Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference, which plays against the Ivy League schools such as Harvard, Yale and Princeton, in the Eastern United States.
On the season the Sudbury native had 12 goals and 22 assists for 44 points in 48 games played with the Express this season.
He was also represented Espanola at the Eastern Canada Challenge on Team NOJHL West playing against some of the top junior player in Eastern Canada.
In that showcase he had an assist in three games played and was a key member of the Team West despite being the only 16-year-old player on the team.
When asked about his commitment Lammi had this to say.
“Committing to St. Lawrence University is a dream come true. I can’t thank everyone enough from my coaches to my teammates, family and advisor for helping me get to this point.”
With excitement in his eye he also added, “I always dreamed about going to school and playing hockey. I wanted a good education but at the same time playing the sport that I love.”.
In the classroom Lammi is also an excellent student having an above 90% average in university level courses as a student at Lo Ellen Park Secondary School in Sudbury.
For this he was also honoured at the Express banquet as the Top Student Athlete Award.
General Manager Chad Clarke weighed in by saying, “Chase is a very hard-working young man and we are very proud of him and all he has accomplished this season in Espanola.”
“He never takes a day off and gives it his all at everything he does and that stands out, especially on the ice,” added Clarke.
This is the first division one commitment in the history of the Espanola Express and Lammi is the first active NOJHL player to commit to the NCAA in three years.
“Chase is the poster boy for what hard work and what dedication can do for advancing your career,” Clarke continued.
“This is a huge accomplishment for Chase, our organization and our league. We couldn’t be happier for him. I know he will be very successful at that level and we look forward to seeing where this next journey will take him.”
Before coming to the Espanola Express Lammi was a member of the Sudbury Minor Midget Wolves of the Great North Midget League where he was a leader as an assistant captain.
Story courtesy: Grant Trayner, Espanola Express