BROOKS, AB (November 19, 2017) – The Brooks Bandits of the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL) are delighted to announce that 1997-born forward Nic Hamre (Ottawa, ON) has committed to attend and play for the University of Vermont, beginning in the 2018-19 NCAA season.
Located in Burlington, Vermont, the Catamounts play in the NCAA’s Division I Hockey East conference, under 15th-year head coach Kevin Sneddon, under whom the team has appeared in three NCAA tournaments in the last nine seasons, reaching the Frozen Four in 2009.
“Nic was a perfect addition to our club last year, adding depth, grit, and timely scoring,” said Bandits head coach and general manager Ryan Papaioannou. “This season he has come back determined to lead our team on and off the ice. His point totals to date reflect his on-ice success.”
Hamre is the team’s leading scorer among forwards with 27 points (10 goals, 17 assists) in 25 games, including a league-leading five game-winning goals, and eight multi-point games. He is the eighth-highest scoring player in the AJHL currently, and ranks eleventh in the league in assists.
“Just as importantly, his willingness to block shots, stand up for teammates, and do whatever it takes to win has been crucial to our team,” Papaioannou added. “Our long-term success this season rests upon players like Nic setting the work ethic bar for others to match.”
The 5’9”, 180lb forward joined the Bandits last season and made an immediate impact, scoring 38 points (19 goals, 19 assists) in 52 games, adding seven playoff points (3 goals, 4 assists) in 13 games, and being named the winner of the team’s annual Nick Crosby Memorial Award.
He was recruited to the team after three years at Kimball Union Academy in Meriden, New Hampshire, part of the New England Prep School Ice Hockey Association. In his final season of prep school competition Hamre scored 41 points (20 goals, 21 assists) in 34 games, giving him a career total of 71 points (34 goals, 37 assists) in 99 games with the Wildcats.
Prior to his prep school career, Hamre was the third-highest scoring player for the Eastern Ontario Wild minor midget AAA team, recording 37 points (16 goals, 21 assists) in 29 games, for a team that won the OHL Gold Cup tournament.
He is the fifth Bandit to commit to the Catamounts in the last five seasons, joining former team captain Derek Lodermeier (Brooklyn Center, MN), fellow current Catamount Anthony Petruzzelli (Federal Way, WA), graduate Chris Muscoby (Airdrie, AB), and current commit Ocean Wiesblatt (Calgary, AB). His current teammate Simon Boyko (Mississauga, ON) is also a Vermont commit.
Hamre is the 9th Bandit on the current team roster committed to an NCAA Division I school, joining:
• Brandon Scanlin (Colgate University)
• Cale List (University of Massachusetts – Lowell)
• Matt Cassidy (Quinnipiac University)
• Simon Boyko (University of Vermont)
• Dennis Cesana (Michigan State University)
• Conner Jean (College of the Holy Cross)
• Arnaud Vachon (Colgate University)
• Ocean Wiesblatt (University of Vermont)