Captain Ryan O’Dell of the Ontario Junior Hockey League’s Niagara Falls Canucks has confirmed his commitment to join the University of Guelph Gryphons in U SPORTS and the OUA beginning with the 2025-26 season.
O’Dell, who will turn 21 Feb. 14, began his OJHL career with his hometown Stouffville Spirit in 2022-23. The 6-foot-5 defenceman, who played 19 games in the Ontario Hockey League at Oshawa and Guelph, has been in Niagara Falls since the fall of 2023.
O’Dell has 41 points (2 goals/39 assists) in 46 games this season.
“We have seen tremendous growth from Ryan both as a player and as a leader, and we couldn’t be happier for him to be continuing his hockey career and academics at the University of Guelph,” Frank Pietrangelo, the former NHL goaltender who is the Canucks’ Director of Hockey Operations and Head Coach told the OJHL. “
“The Gryphons are getting themselves a terrific hockey player, but more importantly a terrific person, and we look forward to watching Ryan flourish further over the next few years at the U SPORTS level.”
“Playing for the Niagara Falls Canucks has been amazing,” O’Dell told the OJHL. “It’s a great program for development. Playing under the coaching of Frank and (Assistant Coach) Greg (Johnstone), I feel my game has improved a lot and I have been able to take it to the next level.”
“Playing in the OJHL these past couple years has really helped me to develop my game. It’s a great competitive league that helps develop players to get to the next level and reach their goals for hockey”
Why Guelph?
“The University of Guelph has an amazing campus and the academics are great,” O’Dell told the OJHL. “I was really impressed with their hockey program and the facilities that they offer to their athletes. They have a professional coaching staff that is focused on getting their athletes to the pro level which is my ultimate goal, and I am really excited for this opportunity.”
“For my major I am hoping to study Business – Management Economics and Finance.”
Congratulations to Ryan and best of luck in U SPORTS!
The Canucks host the St. Michael’s Buzzers Friday night at the Gale Centre in Niagara Falls.
