NOJHL champion Trappers announce university/college commitments

NORTHERN ONTARIO JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE
www.nojhl.com

NOJHL COMMUNICATIONS
MEDIA RELEASE

Release date: Monday, July 8, 2013

Photo credit: Denis Dubois
(North Bay Trappers first team NOJHL all-star netminder Greg Dodds is one of five players from the club’s championship squad that has committed to play university or college hockey in 2013-14.)

NOJHL champion Trappers announce university/college commitments

NORTH BAY – The defending Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League champion North Bay Trappers have announced their first group of players that will be moving on to various higher levels of hockey while receiving an education in the process.

Five players from the NOJHL title-winning squad have committed to schools in Canada and the U.S., led by first team all-star Greg Dodds who will be off to the University of Western Ontario in London where he’ll play for the Mustangs.
 
Dodds, who topped nearly every goaltending statistical category this past season, felt joining one of the top teams in the OUA was his best choice.
 
“I decided on Western for many reasons,” offered Dodds.
 
“The Mustangs have boasted a very impressive winning record and always creates a competitive team and Western offers a great education as well, which is very important in making a decision on what school to go to,” added the Wingham, Ont., product.

Meantime second-year defenceman Andrew Martin has committed to the Finlandia University Lions in Hancock, Mich., who compete out of the newly revamped Northern Collegiate Hockey Association.
  
“My decision was pretty easy,” stated Martin on choosing Finlandia.

“I wanted a small school for academics and their program that is in the early stages of rebuilding,” stated the Trappers blueliner.

NOJHL playoff most valuable player, Trevor Hunt, has accepted a commitment from Williston State College Tetons of the National Junior College Athletic Association.

He’ll be joining a program that is the reigning NJCHA champions. 
 
Heading west will be forward Justin Schneeberger as he’ll be attending Colorado State (ACHA) in 2013-14.
 
The 6’3” 206 pound native of Fort Collins, Colo., played in 119 games the past two seasons for the Trappers, notching 24 tallies while registering 38 assists. 
 
Colorado State head coach Kelly Newton is excited to have Schneeberger join his program.
 
“He has great size and a desire to go hard to the net every shift,” said the Rams bench boss.
 
“His experience of playing Jr. ‘A’ in Canada for the past two seasons will be a huge benefit to us and we expect he’ll be an impact player for us right from the start.”
 
Rounding out North Bay’s initial commitment list is Stephen Langford who will attend Briercrest College in Caronport, Sask.

The Clippers play out of the strong eight-school Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference.

“One thing many college recruiters look for is skilled players from winning organizations and the North Bay Trappers certainly fall into that category,” indicated NOJHL Commissioner Robert Mazzuca.

“These commitments are a credit to the Trappers players, management and staff,” added Mazzuca.

Trappers’ director of operations and general manager Chris Dawson is also pleased with his club’s first wave of commitments.

“Kudos to the players and the job done by the former staff including Tim Clayden and Tom McCarthy, who have moved on to get the new Espanola franchise up and running, for their efforts,” says the newly minted North Bay GM.

“Coming off a successful season and also a highly competitive summer camp held over the weekend, we look to build off of the accomplishments achieved by the players and the former ownership group as we head into the 2013-14 campaign at West Ferris Arena,” stated Dawson.

For more information on the North Bay Trappers, visit their website at www.thetrappers.ca.