NEWS

Aurora Tigers alternate captain Drake Board (photo credit - Shhawn Muir/OJHL Images) has confirmed his commitment to join the Niagara University Purple Eagles beginning with the 2016-17 Atlantic Hockey season.

The Barrie, Ontario native has spent the past two seasons with the Tigers out of the Barrie Colts Minor Midget 'AAA' program, where he would be drafted by the Brampton Battalion in the 11th round, 217th overall, of the 2012 OHL Priority Selection.  After spending the 2012-13 season with the Alliston Hornets Junior 'C', where he would capture a GMOHL title and compete for the OHA's Schmalz Cup, Board joined the Tigers as a 17-year old rookie last season.

The small, speedy forward contributed 16 points in 50 regular season contests, helping the Tigers capture a second consecutive North Division title and finish as runner-up to Kingston for the OJHL crown.  He would register 3 points in the post-season as the Tigers went on to defeat the Voyageurs to win the North-East Conference Championship, before ultimately falling to the Toronto Lakeshore Patriots in the OJHL Championship Series.

Thus far this season, Board has become one of the club's offensive catalysts, sitting second on the club with career-highs of 14 goals and 33 points in 27 games played for the first place Tigers.  Board's play earned him a spot on Team OJHL Hawerchuk that recently competed at the 2014 Central Canada Cup All-Star Challenge held in Toronto, notching three points in three games played, as well as an invitation to the upcoming Team Canada East Selection Camp for the 2014 World Junior 'A' Challenge.

Congratulations to Drake and best of luck the rest of the way!