Ryan Cook of the Ontario Junior Hockey League’s Collingwood Blues (photo credit – Jamie Green| OJHL Images) has confirmed his commitment to join U SPORTS’ Wilfrid Laurier University Golden Hawks in Waterloo, ON beginning with the 2024-25 season.
The 6-foot-4 defenceman from nearby Kitchener has six goals and 15 assists in 39 games for the defending OJHL champs in Collingwood this season.
“The last three seasons with the Blues have been some of the best years of my life,” Cook told the OJHL. “Winning a Buckland Cup last year with such a special group of teammates and staff is something I will never forget and hope to do again this season. I’d like to thank the town of Collingwood, management, coaches, and of course my teammates for helping me succeed along the way. Super excited to commit to my hometown university, and can’t wait to get started at Laurier!”
”In the three years Ryan has been part of the Blues, we’ve seen him continue to push the bar on his development,” Collingwood Head Coach Andrew Campoli told the OJHL. “Ryan has played various roles for the Blues and was a pillar in our run for the Buckland Cup last season. Ryan has been one of our leaders on and off the ice and always plays for the player in the next stall. We’re very excited for Ryan and his family and we wish him nothing but the best.”
Blues General Manager Mike Tarantino concurs.
“Ryan has been a tremendous player for the Collingwood Blues over the last three seasons,” Tarantino told the OJHL. “He not only has been a great player and teammate, but a fan favourite within our community. Ryan joins former Blues Bryce Sutherland and Rob Strachan at Laurier and we are excited to announce Ryan’s commitment to play U SPORTS hockey with the Golden Hawks. Laurier is getting a top notch player and person and the Blues are excited for Ryan and his family.”
Other former OJHLers on this year’s Laurier roster include: Isaac Sooklal (Haliburton), Callum Chisholm (Pickering), Dylan DiTomaso (St. Michael’s), Conor Ali and Ryan Mulholland (Brantford), Evan Benwell (Burlington, Toronto Patriots), Patrick Brown (Collingwood), Tyler Davis (Aurora, Brantford, Markham), Nick Giunta (Burlington, Markham), Thomas Lenart (Burlington), Kallaway Mercer (Cobourg), Myles Perry (North York, Pickering, Haliburton, Milton), Sullivan Sparkes (Trenton) and Sam Williamson (Trenton, Collingwood).
Laurier opened the OUA playoffs with a 7-4 win over the University of Toronto Wednesday.
Congratulations to Ryan and best of luck in the OJHL, the OUA and U SPORTS!
The OJHL has had more than 45 NCAA Division I scholarship commitments already this season.
Check out all our commitments here: https://www.ojhl.ca/committments/
