Mikael Kingo of the Ontario Junior Hockey League’s Niagara Falls Canucks has confirmed his commitment to join the NCAA Division III Augsburg University Auggies in Minneapolis, Minnesota beginning with the 2025-26 season.
Kingo went 16-19-6 with a 3.35 goals-against average and 0.918 save percentage with Niagara Falls this year after being acquired from the Collingwood Blues in an early-season trade.
“Mikael was the backbone of our hockey team this year, and undoubtedly one of the top goaltenders in the OJHL,” said Canucks Head Coach Frank Pietrangelo, a former NHL goalie himself. “We’re proud to see Kinger continue his hockey career and education at Augsburg University.
“They say good things come to good people, and there’s no doubt that’s the case here as Mikael is one of the best- both off and on the ice.”
Kingo won the OJHL’s Humanitarian of the Year award in back-to-back years (2022 and 2023) while playing with the Georgetown Raiders.
Kingo chose Augsburg University “because it offers a great balance of academics and athletics.”
“The coaching staff has been incredibly supportive, and I had the chance to speak with several representatives at the school,” he told the OJHL, “which made me feel confident in their commitment to my development both on and off the ice.I also got the chance to speak to academic advisors at the school to help choose specific courses that align with what I want to pursue in the future.
“I will be taking business with a minor in biology. The university is in a great city, and the facilities are top-notch, which gives me everything I need to succeed. Additionally, Augsburg’s hockey program has had a lot of success, making it even more exciting to join a competitive and well-established team.”
Kingo has fond memories of his three-plus seasons in the OJHL.
“This experience really highlighted how the OJHL is dedicated to player development, offering a high level of competition that pushed me to grow both on the ice and off.”
“My time in the OJHL was an incredible experience that greatly shaped me as both a goalie and a person,” he said. “I started my journey with Georgetown in my U16 year, where I was fortunate to be an AP and then go on to play for them for two full seasons there. This experience really highlighted how the OJHL is dedicated to player development, offering a high level of competition that pushed me to grow both on the ice and off. I had a great time in Georgetown and made memories that will last a lifetime
“In my final year with the Niagara Falls Canucks, I had an amazing experience. I played the most games I ever had in a season, which was a fantastic opportunity for growth. I formed lifelong friendships with teammates, management, and coaches, which made the year even more memorable. Little things like team bus rides or pre-game sewer is something I’m really going to miss.
NIAGARA FALLS, ON: Mikael Kingo of the Niagara Falls Canucks gets focused prior to warmups at the Gale Centre on November 3, 2024. (Photo by Rick Denham /OJHL Images)
“Some of my favorite memories were related to our team’s community involvement, such as visiting schools, family skates and team events. These moments really made my time in Niagara special and gave me a deeper appreciation for the positive impact hockey can have beyond the rink.”
Congratulations to Mikael and best of luck in the NCAA!
