Ben Loreto of the Ontario Junior Hockey League’s Toronto Junior Canadiens (photo credit – Amy Deroche | OJHL Images) has confirmed his commitment to join the NCAA’s Adrian College Bulldogs in Adrian, Michigan beginning with the 2023-24 season.
The 21-year-old from Toronto joined JRC from the Jr. B Brampton Bulldogs ahead of the COVID-cancelled 2020-21 OJHL season. The team won the OJHL regular season championship the past two seasons.
“My time with the Junior Canadians was first class. The fully-invested coaches, trainers and General Manager expected nothing less than 100-per-cent effort and buy-in from us as players. I had the privilege of playing for two great teams with great teammates.”
“The relationships I have built will last me a lifetime. All the great wins, big games, team events, and family culture was what made every day as a Junior Canadien amazing. There really was no better place I could have spent my junior career and it has prepared me for my next step at Adrian College.”
The defenceman had seasons of 25 and 21 points with JRC.
“Ben very quickly acclimated himself with our club and was almost immediately thrust into a major role heading into the ‘21-22 season,” said Blake Ricci, the general manager of the Junior Candiens during Loreto’s time with the franchise. “He established himself as a leader in our dressing room and was often tasked with facing the top players in the league, night in and night out. A true character player that follows a long list of JRC alumni at one of the top Division III programs in the country.”
OJHL graduates on Adrian’s 2022-23 roster included: Connor May (Stouffville, Newmarket), Dershahn Stewart (Cobourg), Jacob Breckles (Wellington, Cobourg, Stouffville), Alessio Luciani, Matt Couto (Markham), Mathew Rehding, Chase Spencer (Toronto Jr. Canadiens), Alec Lovisek (Aurora, Stouffville), Ryan Pitoscia (Buffalo, Jr. Canadiens), Brad Somers (St. Michael’s) and Dante Spagnuolo (North York, Toronto Patriots, Aurora Trenton).
Congratulations to Ben and best of luck in the NCAA!
The OJHL, the largest Jr. A hockey league in Canada, has had more than 90 NCAA, U SPORTS, CHL and professional commitments in 2021-22 – including more than 25 NCAA Division I scholarships.
Check out all our 2022-23 commitments by clicking HERE
