Max McGuire of the Ontario Junior Hockey League’s Niagara Falls Canucks has confirmed his commitment to join the NCAA Niagara University Purple Eagles in Lewiston, NY, after his junior career.
McGuire, 17, lives in the border town of Lewiston and began playing minor hockey in the Niagara Jr. Purple Eagles organization.
The 6-foot-4 forward has 10 points (8 goals/2 assists) in 20 games with the Canucks this season.
McGuire made the commitment to Niagara last July after playing the previous three seasons in the Buffalo Jr. Sabres organization.
He was obtained by the Canucks from Danbury of the NAHL in December.
“It’s been great playing in this league,” McGuire told the OJHL. “As a dual citizen, I am honored to play Canadian hockey and have the experience of playing in these Ontario towns that really bring in the crowds. That’s been a lot of fun.”
“As for development, I have been able to hone in on some skill sets that will help me move forward in the game. The talent in this league is incredible. To be able to play junior hockey at this level, so close to home, has been a wonderful experience. Coach Frank (Pietrangelo) has been great to play for and the guys on the team are awesome.”
McGuire chose Niagara “for a few reasons”.
“The coaching staff, the campus, the direction the program is heading in, the honour to be able to play D1 hockey in my backyard,” he told the OJHL. “But on a deeper level, I chose Niagara because that is where I began my hockey career as a 10-year-old boy – it’s a full-circle moment for me to be able to play at the D1 level at the same rink where I took my first stride on the ice!”
Pietrangelo, Co-owner and Head Coach in Niagara Falls, calls McGuire “ the prototype ‘power forward’.”
“He is big, strong, skates well and shoots the puck like a pro,” Pietrangelo said. “He’s very strong and doesn’t back down from anyone. Needless to say, but Max has been a great addition to our team.
“Being one of the youngest players on our team, you would never know it by meeting with him or watching him play. He is mature beyond his years, and as good as he is at this time, I truly believe the best is yet to come for Max.”
Other OJHLers also committed to Niagara include Dylan McFadden of the Buffalo Jr. Sabres and Collingwood Blues teammates Cameron Eke and Ethan Facchina.
OJHL grads on this year’s Niagara roster are: Trevor Hoskin and Andy Reist (Cobourg), Nathan Oickle (Trenton, Cobourg, Lindsay) and Spencer Young (Collingwood).
Congratulations to Max and best of luck in the NCAA!
