NEWS

Colton Kalezic of the Toronto Patriots (photo credit – Shawn Muir/OJHL Images) has confirmed his commitment to join the Northern Michigan University Wildcats beginning with the 2019-20 season.

Kalezic, 18, scored six points in four games, en route to a selection to the tournament all-star team at the 2017 World Junior ‘A’ Challenge, as a member of Team Canada East.

The Toronto native is the longest-serving Pat, putting up 111 points in 142 Ontario Junior Hockey League games during three seasons with the club.

“I have been really hard at it for the last three years, and I definitely feel the relief of having that weight off my shoulders,” he said. “I’d say my first year in junior, I definitely decided on trying to go the NCAA route, and committing to a DI program like Northern Michigan is certainly a dream come true.”

A skilled 6-foot-2 centreman, Kalezic has been a big part of the Pats forward corps that has terrorized the OJHL so far this year, putting up 27 goals and 48 points over 43 contests to date.

An alumni of the Toronto Jr. Canadiens minor midgets, Kalezic was selected in the eighth round, 146th overall by the Peterborough Petes of the Ontario Hockey League in the 2015 draft. His United States Hockey League rights are owned by the Fargo Force, who took him in the fourth round of the USHL re-entry draft in 2017.

“I think growing up I definitely had my eye on the OHL like many kids in the GTHL do,” he said.

“But as I have matured a bit, and have worked on my game, I have realized, with the great help of my parents, that the time I’ll get by going the NCAA route is exactly what I need. I had been talking to a bunch of different schools, but Northern Michigan really made me feel wanted, and visiting there, I instantly fell in love. I especially love the fact that it is a hockey-first school.”

Congratulations to Colton and best of luck in the NCAA!

-with files from the Toronto Patriots