TORONTO – Some impressive numbers saw 700 Canadian Junior Hockey League alumni attend school and play in the NCAA Division III ranks during the course of the 2023-24 season.
In all, 86 D-III schools featured former CJHLers competing for their respective programs, with the majority of them having five, or more, CJHL alumni suiting up for the teams.
Among the extended contingent of CJHL alumnus were eight who were members of the NCAA D-III national champion Hobart College Statesmen, based out out Geneva, N.Y.
Backstopping that group was sophomore netminder Damon Beaver (Stouffvile Spirit/OJHL).
A sensational campaign, Beaver led Hobart to a second-straight NCAA D-III title after topping all netminders in goals-against average (0.94); save percentage (.962) and shutouts (7).
He sported an overall record of 18-1-1, ending season on a 19-game unbeaten streak, featuring the first shutout in the national championship game since 2008, a 24-save performance in blanking Trinity in the finale.
Named to the NCAA All-Tournament team, Beaver also earned a place on the New England Hockey Conference All-Academic squad.
You also had ex-CJHLers finishing one-two in national scoring, as well as having three in the Top 5.
Plymouth State’s Will Redick (Collingwood Blues/OJHL – Markham Royals/OJHL) led all NCAA skaters in goals and points with 27 and 58, in 27 outings.
Sitting second nationally was Mathew Rehding (Toronto Jr. Canadiens/OJHL), who had 48 points at Adrian College, while St. Nobert’s Liam Fraser (Kindersley Klippers/SJHL) tied for fourth in NCAA D-III numbers with 44 points in 29 games played.
Click the following link to view all 700 CJHL alumni who played NCAA Division III hockey in 2023-24:
2023–24 CJHL ALUMNI – NCAA D–III
An updated list of alumni who played at higher levels this season includes:
NHL: 71
AHL: 78
ECHL: 161
NCAA D-I: 401
USPORTS: 547
NCAA D–III: 700
Photo credit: Hobart Athletics