Ethan Facchina of the Ontario Junior Hockey League’s Collingwood Blues has confirmed his commitment to join the NCAA Division I Niagara University Purple Eagles in Lewiston, NY beginning with the 2026-27 season.
The native of Strathroy joined the Blues during their playoff run last spring following two seasons of Jr. B with his hometown Rockets.
He scored three times at the 2024 Centennial Cup national championship, won by Collingwood last May.
“Ethan stepped into a big role in the playoffs last season and hasn’t looked back,” said Collingwood Head Coach Andrew Campoli. “Not only did he score some timely goals at the Centennial Cup, he’s also been pushing the pace and setting examples of what it means to be Collingwood Blue early this season. We couldn’t be happy for Ethan and his family on their commitment to Niagara University.”
Blues teammates Jack Rimmer and Cameron Eke are also committed to Niagara. Three-year Blue Spencer Young is a freshman on the Purple Eagles roster this year.
“I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to join the Blues at a very exciting time, amidst their 2023-24 playoff run and Centennial Cup,” Facchina told the OJHL. “I was welcomed by the players and staff immediately, treated like I had been part of the team for the season, which allowed me to adapt quickly and play my game.”
“I’m excited for the future chance to play for Niagara University because I feel it has a similar culture to Collingwood, which has been a great fit for my family and I. My focus is now this season and carrying on what I learned from the group of leaders last year to the new faces this year in hope for another successful season.”
Facchina has four points in the Blues’ first four games this season.
“Having seen Ethan play last year with Strathroy (GOJHL) and having the opportunity to affiliate with us last year during our playoff and national championship run, really solidified what many schools and staff believed he was capable of,” said Collingwood General Manager Mike Tarantino. “Ethan deserves a lot of credit for jumping into a team and lineup where he didn’t know anyone and playing in the OJHL conference final after only three days of practice. That is not an easy thing to do.”
“This year, the Blues and Ethan have high expectations for him and look forward to seeing his development through the season. Congratulations to Ethan and the Facchina family.”
The 4-1-0-0 Blues host the Leamington Flyers (4-0-0-0) Friday in a replay of last season’s OJHL West Conference final.
At next week’s OJHL Governors’ Showcase in Niagara Falls, the Blues play the Toronto Jr. Canadiens (4-1-0-0) and Trenton Golden Hawks (4-0-0-0), who they defeated in the 2024 OJHL Championship Series.
Congratulations to Ethan and best of luck in the OJHL and NCAA!
The OJHL had more than 45 NCAA Division I scholarship commitments last season.
Check out all our current commitments here: https://www.ojhl.ca/committments/
