Article from OJHL.ca
Ben Theron of the Ontario Junior Hockey League’s Niagara Falls Canucks has confirmed his commitment to join U SPORTS’ Royal Military College of Canada (RMC) Paladins in Kingston, ON beginning with the 2026-27 season.
Theron signed in Niagara Falls this year after splitting last season between his hometown Oakville Blades in the OJHL and the Jersey Hitmen of the NCCDCC.
The 19-year-old forward has 22 points (14 goals/eight assists) in 25 games to date.
“(The OJHL) has given me the opportunity to showcase my talent for me to be able to go to my dream school. When I was 14 I had no idea I’d be able to go to this school. It’s unreal.”
“From the first day I met Ben, his goal was the RMC, and we are very happy for this U SPORTS commitment for him,” Frank Pietrangelo, Head Coach of the Canucks, told the OJHL. “Ben is a terrific leader and role model – one of our assistant captains – and is someone who will give his heart and soul for our country.
“We’re beyond proud to play a part in his continued development, and we know what his value will be to RMC, both on and off the ice, as well as to our great country of Canada. Ben is having a terrific season, and we look forward to following his future at RMC.”
Theron told the OJHL he’s been focused on RMC since the age of 14.
“Ever since I was tiny I’ve always wanted to do this,” he said in a phone interview from his billets’ home. “ It’s always been hockey and military.”
He’d write annual emails to Paladins Head Coach Richard Lim only to be told to wait until he was playing junior – “but we’ll keep you in our system”.
Lim and his staff scouted Theron throughout the first quarter of this OJHL before committing to him.
“It’s amazing,” he said. “I can still pursue my hockey career while going to the top Canadian military college.”
There’s “military in my blood,” said Theron, whose parents were born in South Africa. Previous generations served in the army.
At 16, he joined the Canadian Armed Forces infantry reserves and did basic training.
Last summer, he was named top candidate after completing the forces’ infantry course.
Theron has praise for the Canucks and the OJHL.
“Coach Frank has been so amazing,” Theron said. “He’s really taken me under his wing. He gave me so much opportunity right from the start and he’s trusted in my play. He’s such a great role model to have, having played in the NHL. He’s been nothing but amazing to so many of the boys.
“It’s just been such a great time in the OJ and with Niagara. The OJ does so much for (the players) and their success in this league. It has given me the opportunity to showcase my talent for me to be able to go to my dream school. When I was 14 I had no idea I’d be able to go to this school. It’s unreal.”
Theron’s commitment includes five years postgraduate work in the military. He expects to be placed with an infantry platoon in Petawawa or Edmonton.
OJHL alumni on RMC’s roster this season include: Ethan Morrow (Wellington), Henry Attard (Milton), Eric Moreau (Lindsay, Collingwood), Owen Ferguson (Markham, Leamington), Isaac Pascoal (Cobourg, Trenton) and Connor Prestwich (Burlington, Cobourg).
The Canucks (8-16-0-1) host the King Rebellion on Friday and visit the Georgetown Raiders Saturday.
Congratulations to Ben and best of luck in U SPORTS!
About the OJHL – “ League of Choice”
The Ontario Junior Hockey League is the largest Junior ‘A’ league operating under the auspices of the Canadian Junior Hockey League with 24 member clubs. A proud member of the CJHL and Ontario Hockey Association, the OJHL was originally named the Ontario Provincial Junior ‘A’ Hockey League and it was formed out of the Central Junior ‘B’ Hockey League in 1993-94. With a long and storied history of developing players for the next level, including U SPORTS, the NCAA, CHL, minor pro ranks and the NHL, the OJHL had more than 135 commitments in 2024-25, including 54 to NCAA Division 1 and 29 to the Ontario Hockey League. In addition, the OJHL had 39 OHL Affiliate Players who played 152 OHL games. Thirty OJHL alumni were on NHL rosters at the start of the 2025-26 season.
Check out all our current commitments here: https://www.ojhl.ca/committments/
