Carter Bickle of the Ontario Junior Hockey League’s Milton Menace has confirmed his commitment to join the NCAA Division I Long Island University Sharks in Brooklyn, NY beginning with the 2025-26 season.
Bickle went 10-4-1 in Milton this season after joining the Menace midway through 2024-25 from the King Rebellion.
He was integral in the Menace winning the OJHL West banner and advancing to the league championship this spring, going 14-5-1 through four rounds of playoffs.
The 21–year old from Brooklin played for the Oshawa Generals of the Ontario Hockey League in 2022-23 and the Charlottetown Islanders of the Quebec Maritimes Hockey League in 2023-24
“Playing in the OJHL gave me an opportunity to continue to play at a high level, keep improving and to play a lot of games,” Bickle said. “Playing with Milton was a great experience. “Winning the West Conference championship with this team was amazing. No one expected us to go that far, and it was great to be part of a team that could do it.
“I joined the team late in the season, but everyone welcomed me and made me feel like I had played with them for years. The ownership and coaching staff made the transition very easy for me.”
Bickle also appreciated the support extended to the Menace.
“The fans and the Milton community are incredible,” he told the OJHL. “Playing in front of such passionate fans made every home game exciting. They even followed us in the playoffs to Leamington and Trenton which was amazing to see.
“I chose to play for Milton because of the team’s gritty, no-quit style and the culture they’ve built around hard work. The coaching staff pushes you to be better every single day, and they hold you accountable and really invest in your development.”
On his choice of schools.
“Choosing Long Island University was an easy decision,” he said. “The program is growing fast and the team culture felt like the right fit. As a goalie, I wanted meaningful ice time and to continue playing at a high level, and at LIU I can get both. They are also one of the few schools that offer a Business Sports Management program, and that is a program that has always interested me.”
Milton’s coaching staff gave Bickle a five-star review.
“Carter was an integral piece for our club down the final stretch and deep into the playoffs,” said Assistant Coach Daniel D’Ercole. “His preparation both on and off the ice was second to none. He provided a calming presence in the net and instilled confidence in our group every night. Congrats, Carter, and best of luck in your next chapter!”
“Carter joined our club midway through last season,” General Manager and Head Coach Dan Del Monte said. “You could tell that his experience from major junior translated into success for him and his game night in and night out. His ability to be ‘quiet’ in the net and his control of the game were major reasons we as a staff felt like we had the better goaltender every night. Congratulations, Carter, for your commitment.”
Former OJHLers on Long Island’s roster last season included Daniel Baldassarra (North York, Mississauga, Milton), Austin Brimmer (North York) and Chris Pappas (Toronto Patriots).
Congratulations to Carter and best of luck in the NCAA!
The OJHL had more than 120 Canadian Hockey League, U SPORTS and NCAA commitments this season.
Check out all our current commitments here: https://www.ojhl.ca/committments/
