U SPORTS Report: Oct. 9, 2024
A total of 195 OHL alumni are playing in the U SPORTS men’s hockey ranks this season. Throughout the year the U SPORTS Report will keep tabs on former OHL names doing great things in the OUA, AUS and Canada West ranks on the road to the 2025 U SPORTS University Cup to be held from March 20-23 in Ottawa, Ont.
QUARTET OF OHL GRADS LEAD UNB REDS IN 2024-25
Ranked first in the country after Week 1 U SPORTS action, the reigning national champions, the University of New Brunswick Reds, aim for their third consecutive U SPORTS title this season. The 2024-25 squad started strong with back-to-back wins over the weekend, led by a quartet of OHL graduates.
Your 2024-24 Leadership Group‼️
C – Colton Kammerer
A – Cam Baber
A – Cole MacKAY
A – Mikey PetizianGo time REDS Nation‼️ pic.twitter.com/WoTm18c7Rz
— UNB Men’s Hockey (@UNBMHockey) October 3, 2024
Colton Kammerer – Hamilton Bulldogs, Sarnia Sting
A 2024 University Cup champion, Kammerer recorded one goal and 13 assists (1-13-14) last season, contributing to the UNB Reds’ back-to-back U SPORTS and AUS titles. The Brooklyn, Ont. native is now entering his third season with UNB, and his first as team captain after helping the Reds secure their 10th national title. Before joining U SPORTS, Kammerer played four seasons in the OHL, spending three years with the Sting and finishing his junior career with the Bulldogs. As team captain, he led Hamilton to an OHL Championship, hoisting the J. Ross Robertson Cup in 2021-22.
Mike Petizian – Kitchener Rangers
Helping earn UNB’s 20th AUS Championship with the Reds last season, the third-year forward tallied 24 points (15-9-24) in 30 games played to help lead the champions to success. A native of Mississauga, Ont., Petizian spent four seasons in the Ontario Hockey League with the Kitchener Rangers, recording 63 goals, 72 assists, and 135 points in 230 regular season matchups.
Cole MacKay – Soo Greyhounds
Spending four seasons with the Soo Greyhounds, MacKay recorded 85 goals, 116 assists and 201 points in 232 regular season games played over his OHL career, adding an additional 15 points (7-8-15) in 38 post-season games. The third-year forward helped the Reds earn back-to-back U SPORTS titles last season, tallying 25 points (14-11-25) in 30 games played.
Camaryn Baber – London Knights, Saginaw Spirit
Baber enters his third season with the Reds, recording nine points (2-7-9) in 29 regular season games last year. The Sault Ste. Marie, Ont. product spent four seasons in the OHL from 2017-22 between the Saginaw Spirit and the London Knights, registering 35 goals, 54 assists and 89 points in 181 regular season contests, along with nine points (4-5-9) in 24 playoff matchups.
QUEEN’S AND OTTAWA OUT TO 2-0 START IN OUA RANKS
The Queen’s University Gaels had a strong start last week, being one of only two OUA teams to go 2-0 over the weekend. In their season opener on Friday night against Concordia, Ian Lemieux (Barrie, Kingston) scored to tie the game in the third period, and Nolan Hutcheson (Sudbury) netted the game-winner in the final minute of overtime, securing a 2-1 victory. The Gaels followed up on Saturday with a 6-3 win over the York Lions, where Hutcheson contributed a three-point performance (2-1-3).
MHKY 🏒: OT WINNER! 🚨
Nolan Hutcheson gets the feed out front from Cameron Tolnai and buries it to give the Gaels the home-opening win!
CON: 1
QUE: 2#ForGold | #ChaGheill pic.twitter.com/fFsh8ohqQ8— Queen's Gaels (@queensgaels) October 5, 2024
The University of Ottawa Gee-Gees were the second OUA team to remain undefeated over the weekend, starting their season with a 5-4 win over Ontario Tech on Friday night. The victory featured scoring from Brad Chenier (North Bay, Sudbury) and Zach Giroux (Flint, Sudbury). On Saturday, the Gee-Gees continued their momentum with a 6-3 win over the TMU Bold, highlighted by a goal from Jacob LeGuerrier (Soo).
https://t.co/R6Kn2k4M3X pic.twitter.com/dltjcfHLCa
— uOttawa Men's Hockey | Hockey masculin (@GeeGeesMHKY) October 4, 2024
SMU SECURES PERFECT OPENING WEEKEND
The Saint Mary’s University Huskies were one of three AUS teams to go 2-0 during the U SPORTS opening week. They started strong on Wednesday with a 5-1 victory over the UPEI Panthers, where Dennis Busby (Flint) contributed a goal and an assist. On Saturday, the Huskies secured a 5-2 win over Acadia, with goals from Reid Valade (Kitchener) and Busby.
HUSKIES HIGHLIGHTS 🏒
Dennis Busby tees up the one-timer from Ben Allison for a powerplay goal, extending the Huskies lead to 4-2! @SMUMensHockey
🚨D. Busby (2)
🍏B. Allison
🍏D. Gentile pic.twitter.com/D25pmk3fUs— Saint Mary’s Huskies (@SMUHuskies) October 6, 2024
