SAULT STE. MARIE, MI — The Soo Eagles of the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League has announced that goaltender Joseph Benedetto has committed to attend school and play NCAA Division III hockey at Lawrence University in Appleton, WI., in the fall.
The 20-year-old Eliot, Maine product sports a 14-12-1 record with the Eagles this season, including having gone 6-1-1 in his past eight decisions with Sault Ste. Marie.
Benedetto is tied for sixth in league appearances among goalkeepers in the NOJHL with 32 and sits ninth in minutes played with 1,685 while his two shutouts tie him for fifth overall in that category.
The Soo Eagles are extremely pleased and proud of Joe on his NCAA commitment as he has worked hard his entire hockey career to achieve his goal of playing college hockey.
“I’d like to thank my parents for their support and the Eagles coaches and the entire staff for all their help and positive feedback in helping achieve this goal,” said Benedetto.
“I also want to thank all my teammates and the NOJHL for their assistance in this,” added the Soo stopper.
“Lawrence is a great academic school with a solid hockey program and they are getting a very good goaltender and character person in Joe,” offered Eagles general manger Bruno Bragagnolo on the announcement.
The Lawrence Vikings are members of the 12-school Northern Collegiate Hockey Association.
