Austin D’Orazio of the  Ontario Junior Hockey League’s Trenton Golden Hawks (photo credit - Amy Deroche \ OJHL Images) has confirmed his commitment to join the NCAA’s Utica University Pioneers in Utica, NY.  beginning with the 2023-24 season.

The 21-year-old from Vaughan played his entire five-year junior career in the OJHL, save for the COVID-19 cancelled season of 2020-21.

Following his rookie season with the Newmarket Hurricanes (now Milton Menace), D’Orazio played a season and a half each with the Marham Royals and Trenton.

His OJHL numbers: 202 games, 31 goals and 88 assists.

“Going into the 2022-23 season in Trenton, the focus was about winning, not about where I was going to go to school,” D’Orazio said on the Golden Hawks website. “When you focus on what is in front of you, the future will take care of itself.”

D’Orazio averaged more than a point per game, leading all Golden Hawks defencemen in scoring and finishing fourth in the OJHL this season.  Second in goals in the OJHL D ranks with 14, he was named a Second Team All Star.

“The Trenton Golden Hawks organization provides you with everything you need to succeed,” he said. “When I arrived here I was welcomed into the fold and I never looked back. The organization provides a world-class opportunity and everything you need to succeed.”

D’Orazio and Trenton finished the regular season on a 12-1 run and ended up in fourth in the South East Conference.  In the playoffs they would eliminate the Cobourg Cougars, the top-ranked Toronto Jr. Canadiens and the Wellington Dukes. They lost the OJHL Nutrafarm Championship Series to the Collingwood Blues.

“What we accomplished was incredible and I would never trade it for the world,” said D’Orazio.  “The friendships with the players and relationships with the staff, volunteers, fans and the City of Quinte West will be something I will remember forever.”

“I am excited about what the future holds in Utica.  My family and I looked at a few schools, but for us Utica University stood above the rest.  I will be studying business. The Pioneers hockey program gets about 3,000 fans a game.  That will be incredible to be able to play in front of.”

Congratulations to Austin and best of luck in the NCAA!

The OJHL, the largest Jr. A hockey league in Canada, has had more than 90 NCAA, U SPORTS, CHL and professional commitments in 2021-22 – including more than 25 NCAA Division I scholarships.

Check out all our 2022-23 commitments by clicking HERE