NEWS

Toronto Lakeshore Patriots forward Brandon Willett (photo credit - Shawn Muir/OJHL Images) has confirmed his commitment to join the Hamilton College Continentals beginning with the 2014-15 NESCAC season.

The Toronto, Ontario native joined the OJHL as a 16-year old affiliated midget in 2009-10, playing four games for the North York Rangers.  He made the full-time jump to Junior 'A' hockey in 2010-11, joining the Vaughan Vipers.  The rookie would record 12 points in 28 games played and notch two goals in his first nine playoff contests.  After getting off to a quick start the following season with four points in seven games, Willett was traded to the Toronto Lakeshore Patriots, where he has spent the past two and a half seasons.  He finished the 2011-12 season fifth in scoring on the club with 10 goals and 44 points in 44 regular season games, both career-high's for the pivot.  He would record nearly a point-per-game in 2012-13 with 17 points in 19 games played, while notching 13 points in 27 games played this season, while helping the club capture its first South-East Conference regular season and playoff titles.

“He actually started playing on my spring program when he was 15 years old,” said Patriots head coach Jason Fortier.  “I am happy for him, I just want him to find a place that he will be happy. He is a tireless worker; he has great speed and brings a lot on the forecheck. I think he can add more offence than we are getting from him this year but he is just starting to find his stride and I really expect big things from him in the future.”

A 5-foot-8, 175-pound speedster, Willett is able to play up and down the lineup and has provided leadership to the Toronto locker room this season.

“The one thing he does better than a lot of guys is just be a great teammate,” Fortier said.  “Maybe this hasn’t been an ideal season for him, but he has been a good kid in the room and when you have a 20 year old that pushes through hard times and comes with a good attitude, it makes the life of a coach so much easier. I think he’ll be great at the next level, especially because he is so versatile.”

Congratulations to Brandon and best of luck as he competes for an OJHL title!