Voodoos forward Dylan McElhinny has committed to play at Anna Maria College for the NCAA Division III AMCATS in 2024-25, the Powassan Voodoos announced on Wednesday.
The 6’3” 200 pound forward from Pittsburgh netted 8 goals and 9 assists for 17 points in 27 games for the Voodoos after spending the first half of the season with the Johnstown Tomahawks of the North American Jr A Hockey League in the United States.
McElhinny has added 4 goals 2 assists for 6 points in the 5 game series victory over Hearst including an overtime winner in game 4.
“I am very excited to play at Anna Maria next year,” he said.
“They had a great year this year and hopefully we can build on that moving forward. l am looking forward to taking the next step and playing NCAA hockey.”
Peter Goulet, Voodoos head coach, has followed McElhinny closely since he watched him at junior tryouts in 2019.
“I have known Dylan since he 17 years old and although he was very close to making my team as a 17 year old, he ended up being our last release, and I knew I would regret that decision,” said Goulet.
That season McElhinny would go on to play in the NOJHL with the Timmins Rock before heading back down to the USA for the next two seasons.
“As a 20 year old Dylan was struggling to find his way in the NAHL and was not being given a fair opportunity to show what he could do, as soon as he became available I called his NAHL team and made a trade for Dylan,” said Goulet.
Goulet says he has been a great addition on and off the ice.
“Our organization the Powassan Voodoos cannot thank Dylan McElhinny and his family enough for trusting our organization for his last five months of Junior A Hockey career it has been great to finally coach Dylan,” added Goulet.
“I’d just say that I owe a big part of it to Pete,” said McElhinny.
“He started my junior career when I was 17 and now playing for him in Powassan 4 years later, he helped me earn a scholarship and a chance to win a championship with the Voodoos.”
McElhinny joins a long list of committed Voodoos who will be playing college hockey next fall including Zach Turner, Cameron Lemcke, Carson Ricci and Tucker Shields.
