POWASSAN VOODOO JR. A HOCKEY CLUB
Media Update
Release date: Wednesday, May 18, 2016
Voodoos Grose makes NCAA commitment
BY CHRIS DAWSON
POWASSAN, Ont. — The Powassan Voodoos of the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League announced Wednesday that highly recruited Voodoos defenceman Nicky Grose will be taking his talents to New York State where he will attend school and play for the Utica Pioneers of the ECAC West in NCAA Division III Hockey.
The 1995-birth year defenceman finished off a successful three-year career with the Voodoos in the NOJHL.
In his final year of junior eligibility, Grose showed off his offensive flair from the blue line netting 12 goals along with 35 assists totalling 47 points in 54 regular season games with the club in 2015-16.
Grose says he’s looking forward to the NCAA Division III opportunity.
“After doing my own research on the school and hockey program I decided that it is a place where I would like to be for the next four years,” said Grose.
“From averaging the most fans in all of D-3 NCAA to being the host of the Frozen Four this coming season I have become extremely excited to start the season this fall.”
Chris Dawson, Voodoos general manager and vice-president of hockey operations, who traded for Grose last summer after both were part of the North Bay Jr. Trappers organization in 2013-14, is glad to see Grose land in a great spot.
“Nicky had some options and this one at Utica really stood out,” offered Dawson.
“Personally, I’m thrilled to see him get this opportunity as he came in as an undersized utility player and within three seasons he transformed into an all-star calibre defenceman in the NOJHL,” added Dawson.
The five-foot-11-inch, 170-pound defenceman appreciates what the NOJHL and the Voodoos have done for his development.
“My years in the ‘NOJ’ were great at facilitating me to become the best player I can be,” stated Grose.
“This last year with Powassan taught me a lot about helping lead a team to a winning season. With this experience under my grizzled belt, I am confident that I am ready to make the jump up to the NCAA.”
