NEWS

Christian Catalano of the Ontario Junior Hockey League’s Toronto Jr. Canadiens (photo credits - Spencer Smye & Christian Bender | OJHL Images) has confirmed his commitment to join the NCAA Division I RIT Tigers in Rochester, NY beginning with the 2023-24 season.

The Mississauga resident will join JRC linemate Tyler Fukakusa, who committed to RIT last month. 

Before signing with the Junior Canadiens, the Mississauga Rebels’ U16 product played for the Brampton Bombers of the GOHL in 2019-20. 

“Christian was a big recruit for us out of the GOJHL heading into the ‘20-21 season, which was unfortunately cancelled due to the COVID pandemic,” said Junior Canadiens General Manager Blake Ricci. “Remaining highly engaged throughout the ‘20-21 season, Christian entered our main camp with a purpose this year with his speed and high-end compete.”

“He established some great chemistry with his linemates in Fukakusa and (Matthew) Wilde, which has been a huge part of our offense this year. We look forward to watching Christian continue to round out his game as he advances to NCAA Division I at RIT.”

Catalano scored 34 goals and assisted on 39 more in 52 regular season games this season. 

“My time with the Toronto Jr. Canadiens has been fantastic,” Catalano told the OJHL. “The coaching staff has really advanced my hockey career and helped form the player I am today. It has been an honour to represent the logo on my chest.”

“The OJHL has given me the honour to play against some of the best players in Ontario. The fast-paced, high-intensity play really helped bring my game to the next level.”

OJHL graduates on RIT’s roster this season include former Jr. Canadiens Jake Joffe and Gianfranco Cassaro, Dimitri Mikrogiannakis (Newmarket), Ryan Nicholson (Oakville), Elijah Gonsalves (Wellington, Aurora, Pickering), Evan Miller (Wellington),  Andrew Petrucci (Toronto Patriots, Markham, Milton, St. Michael’s), Andrew Rinaldi (Wellington) and Colton Trumbla (St. Michael’s).

“I am very proud and excited to announce my commitment to play at RIT,” Catalano said. “It has always been my goal to further my hockey career playing NCAA hockey. RIT has given me a great opportunity to play high-level hockey and continue my education at a great school. I’m very thankful for this opportunity.”

The Junior Canadiens, who won the South Division championship with the best record in the 21-team league, will play the Toronto Patriots in the first round of the OJHL playoffs. The series begins Sunday night at Scotiabank Pond in Downsview.

Congratulations to Christian and best of luck in the NCAA!

The OJHL, the largest Jr. A hockey league in Canada, has had more than 120 NCAA, U SPORTS, CHL and professional commitments in 2019-20 – including more than 45 NCAA Division I scholarships.

Check out all our 2021-22 commitments by clicking HERE