NEWS

Trenton Golden Hawks alternate captain Mitch Emerson (photo credit - Amy Deroche/OJHL Images) has confirmed his commitment to join the SUNY Oswego Lakers beginning with the 2016-17 SUNYAC season.

The Pickering, Ontario native joined the OJHL as a member of the Whitby Fury in 2013-14 as a 17-year old out of the The Hill Academy Under-16 Prep School program, having previously played for the Ajax-Pickering Raiders Minor Midget 'AAA' organization.  The rookie acquited himself well, notching 10 goals and 18 points in 42 regular season games played, while also getting his first taste of post-season action with five games played.

The following season, Emerson got off to a quick start and was one of the Fury's top point producers, registering 29 points in 24 games, earning a spot as a member of Team OJHL Hawerchuk at the 2014 Central Canada Cup All-Star Challenge that was held in Toronto, Ontario.  Midway through the season, Emerson was moved to the nearby Pickering Panthers where he would record just over a point-per-game in Pickering over 15 games and was on the move once again at the trade deadline, being moved to the defending champion Toronto Patriots for their playoff push.  Emerson would kick his game into an even higher gear, leading the Patriots with 18 points in 12 games played to be named runner-up as the OJHL Gongshow Gear South-West Conference Player-of-the-Month for February heading into the second season.  His presence on the Patriots put the club over the top as he finished tied for second with 15 goals and tied for eighth in overall post-season scoring with 22 points in 22 games played in capturing the franchise's second consecutive OJHL Championship with a seven game series victory over the Kingston Voyageurs.  The Pats would fail to make another appearance at the National Championship after falling to the host Fort Frances Lakers in the semi-final of the 2015 Dudley-Hewitt Cup with Emerson notching four points in four games played during the tournament.  Throughout the post-season, he would also be named the Patriots top vote-getter in 2015 OJHL Fan Favourite Award balloting.

On the move once again during the off-season, Emerson was traded to the perennial-contending Trenton Golden Hawks and instantly became one of the club's leaders both on and off the ice.  Although his offensive production is down slightly, Emerson has been a key component of their first place overall run that saw them ranked first in the CJHL for numerous weeks.  He currently sits second on the club with 21 goals and fourth in scoring with 37 points in 40 games played.

Congratulations to Mitch on the commitment and best of luck as he closes out his OJHL career!