Defenceman Jonathan Kapageridis of the Ontario Junior Hockey League’s Cobourg Cougars has confirmed his commitment to join the NCAA Division I University of Vermont Catamounts in Burlington, Vermont.
The 17-year-old from Vaughan is turning heads during his first full season at the junior level.
The self-described “late bloomer” was one of eight Canadian Junior Hockey League players – including five alone from the OJHL – named Oct. 23 to National Hockey League Central Scouting’s preliminary Players to Watch List ahead of the 2025 NHL Draft.
Kapageridis had 20 points (five goals/15 assists) in 18 games this season before being sidelined with a lower-body injury in late October.
Kapageridis had 14 points (four goals/10 assists) in 17 OJHL playoff games with the Cougars as an affiliate player from the Don Mills Flyers U18 AAA team last spring.
“Definitely an unreal experience,” Kapageridis said of the 2024 OJHL postseason during the OJ All Access podcast Wednesday.
He credited the Cougars’ veteran players with showing him the ropes, specifically Calgary Flames draft pick Trevor Hoskin, now at NCAA Division I Niagara.
Kapageridis was selected second overall by the Sarnia Sting in the Ontario Hockey League’s 2024 U18 draft.
“Coming into the league full time now has been another bit of an adjustment, but I think I‘ve done pretty well with that,” Kapageridis said on the podcast. “Just getting that confidence within me to make plays and carry the puck more and be an offensive defenceman.”
Kapageridis, who made a visit to Vermont this fall, said it was “a no-brainer” to commit to the Catamounts whose playing style matches his.
Cobourg Head Coach Connor Armour is a big fan of his blueliner.
“Jonathan is a special player,” Armour told the OJHL. “I don’t think I’ve seen a defenceman at his age play with such poise. His ceiling is extremely high. If he keeps trending upwards he will no doubt have a career playing hockey. Jonathan is a key part to our D core and a great teammate.”
Congratulations to Jonathan and best of luck in the OJHL and NCAA!
The OJHL has had more than 60 Canadian Hockey League and NCAA commitments already this season.
Check out all our current commitments here: https://www.ojhl.ca/committments/
