DUCHESNE COMMITS TO NORTHEASTERSN

Press Release

Kingston Voyageurs defenceman Chad Duchesne (photo credit - Brian Watts/OJHL Images) has confirmed his commitment to join the Northeastern University Huskies beginning with the 2015-16 Hockey East Season.

Duchesne becomes the ninth Voygeur player in the last four years to commit to an NCAA Division I scholarship, joining Steve McParland (Providence), Brock Higgs (RPI), Jarrett Burton (Clarkson), Dustin Walsh (Dartmouth), Joe Wilson (Colgate), Cody Rosen (Clarkson), Ben Power (Lake Superior State) and Shawn Sirman (Maine); all of who have helped turn the Vees into an NCAA development power at the OJHL level.

Duchesne had a terrific first season with the Vees, earning a regular shift all season long and throughout the playoffs. He played in 41 games as a rookie, registering three goals and 14 assists for 17 points, including five that came on the power play. Duchesne played in all 15 playoff games for the Vees, picking a goal and four points. The rearguard's impressive rookie campaign earned him a spot on Team East at the CJHL Prospects Game held in Langley, B.C., as well as a spot on the OJHL East Division All-Stars at the inaugural Central Canada Cup All-Star Challenge held in Smiths Falls, Ontario.

“I’m absolutely thrilled and excited about going to Northeastern in 2015," said Duchesne. "It will be a great opportunity for me and a chance to continue playing hockey at an extremely high level. Northeastern is a terrific program and I couldn’t be happier to join such a well respected and successful program.

Voyageurs head coach Colin Birkas had this to add about his star defenceman, “Chad had a fantastic season last year and opened a lot of doors for himself and earned himself a lot of attention. Northeastern stepped up and committed to him early based on what they saw last year and they, like ourselves, project big things for Chad moving forward. We couldn’t be happier for Chad and our program.”

Congratulations to Chad and we look forward to your continued successes in the OJHL before moving on to the next level.

(Nathan can be reached at nathanfournier@mainehockeyjournal.com)