NEWS

Matthew Dunsmoor of the Ontario Junior Hockey League’s Wellington Dukes (photo credit - Ed McPerson | OJHL Images) has confirmed his commitment to join the OUA’s Wilfrid Laurier University Golden Hawks in Waterloo, ON beginning with the 2022-23 season.

The 21-year-old from Guelph broke into the OJHL with the Burlington Cougars as an affiliate player from the Guelph Jr. Gryphons U18  team during the 2017-18 season. He was an eighth-round (155th overall) selection of the Mississauga Steelheads in the 2017 Ontario Hockey League U16 Priority Selection.

Following a full season (2018-19) in Burlington, he was traded to Wellington. 

Dunsmoor, who had played three games in the OHL with the Steelheads, next signed with the Rimouski Océanic of the  Quebec Major Junior Hockey League for the COVID-19-shortened 2020-21 season.

He returned to Wellington for his final season of junior eligibility.

Dunsmoor had a 14-13-0 record with a 2.81 goals-against average and .914 save percentage for the Dukes, who won the OJHL East Division regular season championship in 2021-22.

"Dunny came to Wellington in his 18-year-old year and backstopped the Dukes to our most successful regular season in almost 20 years,” Dukes Head Coach and General Manager Derek Smith said on Wellington’s website. “Unfortunately, our playoffs were cut short due to COVID and he couldn't get the chance to help take the team to the goal of a national championship.”

“He left for the QMJHL and returned for his 20-year-old season. He was a huge part of the leadership core and helped stabilize the team. He was great in the community and beloved by the fans. Dunny will always be a Duke and we wish him nothing but the best in the next chapter of his hockey career."

Former OJHL players on Laurier’s 2021-22 roster included: Tyler Fassi (Toronto Patriots), Conor Ali (Brantford), Kyle Gentles (Pickering, Stouffville), Graeme MacLean (Toronto Patriots, Toronto Jr. Canadiens, North York Rangers, Milton), Steve MacLean (Aurora), Adrian Naburs (Collingwood, Newmarket), Jake Payette (Georgetown), James Thomson (Aurora, Trenton), Noah Tooke (Aurora), Evan Benwell (Toronto Patriots, Burlington), Patrick Brown (Collingwood), Tyler Davis (Aurora, Markham, Brantford), Nick Giunta (Markham, Burlington), Grayden Gottschalk (North York), Mack Graham (Oakville, Toronto Patriots), Matt McJannet (Georgetown), Sullivan Sparkes (Trenton), Anthony Sorrentino (Trenton, North York) and Michael Silveri (Trenton).

"Laurier is a fantastic school with a great hockey program,” said Dunsmoor. “It is very close to where I grew up and it's nice to be able to stay close to home and continue my academic and hockey career."

Congratulations to Matthew and best of luck in the OUA and U SPORTS!

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