DE HAAS COMMITS TO CLARKSON

Press Release

Toronto Lakeshore Patriots defenceman James De Haas has confirmed his commitment to join the Clarkson University Golden Knights in either the 2012 or 2013 ECAC season.

De Haas enters the 2011-12 OJHL season as a rookie on the Patriots blueline, joining the newly named club from the prestigious Toronto Marlies GTHL program.

"I couldn't be happier for James since I know this has been his hockey goal. Rick Gaetz and the Toronto Marlies Midget program have also prepared James well coming into this season which I believe has made my job easier and a more fluid transition for James into Junior Hockey. Clarkson is a great school and great hockey program and I believe that when James attends (either 2012 or 2013) it will be well prepared physically (working with ATC and Richard Clark) and mentally." commented GM & Head Coach Mike Tarantino.

De Haas is the first Patriot to accept a scholarship this season, but Tarantino doesn't think he'll be the last. "We have a lot of good students and fast, intelligent hockey players on our team. If the boys have progressed to where I think they have over the past summer; along with most of them entering their second or third years in the league, I think we could have some breakout players along with a successful team. In the end, it's up to the players to put the work in and play as a team. If they do that, the rest of it takes care of itself. We definitely have some kids that Division 1 or Division 3 schools would be interested in. We try to build our team on speed, intelligence, character, and academics which is no different then a NCAA program. It's the first thing I mention to our players, you are working towards being a student-athlete that a school would be proud to have, not just a hockey player. I think there's a big difference between the two."

Congratulations to James and best of luck in his first season of junior hockey!

(Nathan can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)