Tuesday, February 26, 2013

GJURICH COMMITS TO MAINE

My story for the Maine Hockey Journal 

Press Release

Buffalo Jr. Sabres forward and OJHL leading scorer Tyler Gjurich (photo credit - Graeme Reid/OJHL Images) has confirmed his commitment to join the University of Maine Black Bears beginning with the 2013-14 Hockey East season.

The rookie is a native of Hatfield, Pennsylvania and has led the OJHL scoring race for most of the season, recently becoming just the second player in franchise history and only OJHL player this season to hit the magical 50 goal plateau.  Along with the leading the club's resurgence in the standings, Gjurich also represented the OJHL West Division All-Star Team at the 2012 Central Canada Cup All-Star Challenge that was held in Wellington, Ontario.

“They’ve been interested for a pretty long time,” said Gjurich. “Once they came and offered me to go, you can’t really turn down going to Maine!  I was really excited.”

“Tyler has earned this wonderful opportunity,” added Jr. Sabres head coach and general manager Michael Peca.  “He has committed himself this season to round out his game and compliment his incredible offensive instincts. In all my years of hockey I haven't seen many players that shoot the puck as well as he does. Maine is getting one heck of a player.”

Gjurich, who resides in Hatfield, Pennsylvania but previously played midget level hockey for the Buffalo Regals organization, is the Ontario Junior Hockey League’s leading goal scorer.  Gjurich has scored 52 goals so far this regular season with one game left to play.  On February 17 he netted his 50th and 51st goals and became only the second player in the history of the junior franchise to clear the 50-goal mark.  The only other person to do it was Brian Gionta, now captain of the Montreal Canadiens, who scored 57 times for what was then known as the Niagara Scenics in the 1996-97 season.

Gjurich becomes the seventh player on the current roster to commit to an NCAA hockey program.  He has not yet decided on an academic major.

Congratulations Tyler and best of luck in the playoffs and your NCAA career!

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

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