NEWS

UOIT coach Curtis Hodgins (from left), Jake Bricknell, Austin Eastman and Aurora Tigers GM Dermot Anderson at a news conference in Aurora Monday. (photo credit – UOIT) 

Jake Bricknell and Austin Eastman of the Aurora Tigers have confirmed their commitment to join the University of Ontario Institute of Technology Ridgebacks beginning with the 2018-19 U SPORTS season.

UOIT men's hockey coach Curtis Hodgins travelled to Aurora from the Oshawa school on Monday to announce the commitments.
"Both these guys can play," said Hodgins, who was a head coach for 16 seasons in the OJHL in Bowmanville, Whitby and Cobourg. "Jake has the coveted right-hand shot that we're still looking for here to help our offence and be able to help our power play. Austin has terrific skill and can flat out fly. I think both are going to be very good U SPORTS players and great Ridgebacks for us."
Bricknell, a Port Perry native, is having a standout year with Aurora, as he finished second in league scoring with 99 points, missing out on the scoring title by just one point being overpassed in the final game of the regular season. 

He was second in the league in goals (35) and third is assists (64) while notching eight game-winning goals leading the Tigers to first place in the north division standings.
"I have to give kudos to management and ownership all the way down to the coaching staff," said Bricknell talking about his success with the Tigers this season. "They provided me with the right tools and opportunities that I've been seeking in my junior career to further my game that I've known I've always had in me."
Before the Tigers, Bricknell played the last two seasons with Guelph Storm (OHL) and Cobourg Cougars (OJHL). In the 2017 RBC Cup, the Cougars won the national championship beating Alberta's Brook Bandits 3-2 in overtime.
Eastman is also playing in his first year with Aurora, having played in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) for the Gatineau Olympiques, Victoriaville Tigres and Québec Remparts after two years with his hometown Lindsay Muskies of the OJHL.
In 26 games with Aurora, he is almost averaging two points per game recording 13 goals and 31 assists for 44 points. In the QMJHL, Eastman played in 87 games scoring 11 goals and 24 assists while playing in 14 playoff games.
"I'm more of a speed and skills guy," said Eastman. "Speed is my biggest asset and I like to create offense for others. I'm more of a pass first kind of guy but I'm able to shoot the puck as well, I really like helping out my teammates."
This year, the Tigers went from near worst to first in the OJHL North Division 

as they finished the regular season with a 36-12-1-5 record while scoring 224 goals, the league's second most productive offence.
"Jake's father, and uncle and now him have always been tough," said Dermot Anderson, Aurora Tigers general manager. "When I was following Cobourg, I said this is the guy I want to lead our ship. He might not be the most vocal guy but he does lead on and off the ice. Austin, on the other hand, brings a lot of speed and skills to the team. He jumped right into our leadership group and I have no doubt he will be a leader for the Ridgebacks."
The Tigers are starting their playoff run with an opening round series against the Trenton Golden Hawks, the 2016 & 2017 Dudley-Hewitt Cup Champions.

UOIT was eliminated from the OUA playoffs by Concordia earlier this month.

Congratulations to Austin and Jake and best of luck in USPORTS!