NEWS

Toronto Lakeshore Patriots netminder Evan Buitenhuis (photo credit -  has confirmed his commitment to join the Hamilton College Continentals beginning with the 2014-15 NESCAC season.

Buitenhuis, 20, was instrumental in the Patriots’ run to the RBC Cup last season, winning 20 of 26 post-season contests and posting a .927 save percentage over the Ontario Junior Hockey League playoffs, the Dudley Hewitt Cup and at the National Championships.

A native of Burlington, Ont, Buitenhuis played two seasons in the OJHL between the Oakville Blades and Toronto, earning a career save percentage of .922 and a 2.62 goals-against average in 83 regular season contests, and a .923 save percentage and a 2.41 goals-against average in 25 post-season games.

Buitenhuis made the jump to the OJHL from the Thorold Blackhawks of the GOJHL Junior 'B' in 2012-13 as a member of the Blades.  Tasting instant success at the Junior 'A' level, he would be named the Gongshow Gear OJHL Goaltender-of-the-Month for October and earned a spot on the OJHL South Division All-Star Team that competed at the 2012 Central Canada Cup All-Star Challenge in Wellington, Ontario. 

He entered the 2013-14 season playing as he did the previous year and would be named runner-up as Goaltender-of-the-Month in October and once again compete at the Central Canada Cup All-Star Challenge, finishing as runner-up with the OJHL South-West Conference All-Star Team in Terrebonne, Quebec.  During the tournament, the decision was made to move Buitenhuis to the Toronto Lakeshore Patriots and the rest is history.

According to him, the knowledge of his destination next year is a great weight off his shoulders.

“It’s pretty huge, especially after waiting so long to make a decision,” Buitenhuis said.

“There weren’t too many goalie spots left across the NCAA and time was running short, so I am really happy to have a great spot at a great institution like Hamilton.”

The Hamilton College Continentals play in the NCAA Division III’s New England Small College Athletic Conference and are based in Clinton, N.Y., a town just east of Syracuse.

“I think the first point is that he’s going to an outstanding school and getting an excellent education,” said Toronto goaltender coach Ryan Daniels.

“He’s a competitor, he has a good attitude and he works really hard so any player that has that, along with talent, will translate well to the next level. I was fortunate enough to work with him and help him at a mostly mental level, but there is life after hockey and going to Hamilton is a smart move for his future.”

Toronto acquired Buitenhuis from the Oakville Blades on Dec. 28, 2013 in exchange for goaltender Mark Manolescu.

“It was huge to a shot to play for a contender like the Patriots,” Buitenhuis said.

“I got a lot of interest from Division I and III schools and it opened a lot of people’s eyes to my potential. There was a lot of buzz and I am certainly grateful to the Toronto organization.”

Buitenhuis is the 12th player from last year’s RBC Cup participating squad to commit to a post-secondary institution.

“I feel like Hamilton is on a nice upswing,” Buitenhuis said.

“I feel like with a couple of pieces they can be a top team in the league and along with their academics, I think that if I develop and play to my potential, Hamilton can really help me get to where I want to go; and that’s to play professional hockey.”