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LaSalle Vipers captain Dylan Denomme celebrates a goal against the St. Thomas Stars March 2 at the Vollmer Centre. (Photo by/Irma Tremblay)

The LaSalle Vipers all-time leading goal scorer has decided to join the University of Windsor Lancers men’s hockey team starting this fall.

Dylan Denomme, a 20-year-old Windsor native, drew interest from a number of American universities but ultimately could not pass up the opportunity to stay home and join the reigning Queen’s Cup champions.

“Me and my family thought (the Lancers) were the best fit. They have a great team, they went to nationals this year, they have a great coaching staff and I have a lot of former teammates there,” says Denomme. “It’s important to me to get my education, and my family is very important to me.”

A five-year Viper, Denomme set the franchise record for goals this season, wrapping up his junior career with 113. His 18 game-winning goals are also tops in the organization’s history.

“Dylan has been an integral part of the Vipers for the past five years and we wish him the very best as he begins his new career with the Lancers," says Vipers President John Savage.

This season, Denomme helped lead a young Vipers squad to a second place finish in the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League Western Conference, scoring a career-high 37 goals in 39 games.

“LaSalle has done wonders for my hockey career and they did a great job preparing me for the next level,” says Denomme.

The LaSalle Vipers captured the Sutherland Cup as GOJHL champions in 2010 with a Denomme, a 16-year-old rookie, learning the ropes from players such as Drew Palmer, Matt Beaudoin and Eric Noel, all current members of the Lancers.

“I feel very comfortable and confident in what kind of character player we are getting in Dylan Denomme. I’m very confident he is going to play a very important role on this hockey team,” Lancers head coach Kevin Hamlin said. “These young men are prepared to take the next step. It’s more than just playing hockey, there’s a lot of responsibility off the ice and it’s not cut out for everybody, but I find that these young men we’re getting from the LaSalle Vipers are very well rounded. We’re extremely pleased with the former Vipers we have in our lineup.”

Goaltender Taylor Speed, defenceman Chad Shepley and forward Derek Lanoue also play for the University of Windsor. DJ Turner, who scored 99 goals in a Vipers uniform from 2008-2011, played two seasons with the Lancers after graduating from LaSalle.

“Every one of those kids, every single one of them, has impeccable character traits,” Hamlin said. “I don’t know whether or not they’re learning them in LaSalle, but if they aren’t its pretty coincidental that all of those kids have those qualities. I feel very comfortable going to LaSalle for the kind of player I am looking for.”