NEWS

Kaleb Tiessen of the Ontario Junior Hockey League’s Burlington Cougars (photo credit - Charles Harrison | OJHL Images) has confirmed his commitment to join the NCAA Division I St. Cloud State University Huskies in St. Cloud, Minnesota beginning with the 2023-24 season.

The 6-foot-5, 210-pound defenceman from Windsor joined the Cougars this season after splitting 2020-21 between Collingwood of the OJHL and Potomac of the USPHL.

He scored six goals and added 24 assists during 50 regular season games and had six points in four playoff games with Burlington.

"A program like St. Cloud — it's an absolute honor to be able to go there," Tiessen told The Rink Live, a college hockey news website. "It's second to none and I was super excited when they offered and I had to jump at it.

"I watched (the Huskies) play in the national championship game and they're a great program. When I talked to (associate head coach Dave Shyiak) and the head coach, they seemed pretty high on me, so I feel like I'm in good hands there. Looking at the facility and all the extra help that the players get with school — it just seemed like the right fit for me, 100 per cent."

Tiessen’s future is bright, Burlington Head Coach and General Manager Mark Jooris told the OJHL.

“Kaleb is a big guy who moves very well,” Jooris said. “He really continued to improve as the season went on. He is going to an excellent program and will get some pro looks, I'm sure.”

Congratulations to Kaleb and best of luck in the NCAA!

The OJHL, the largest Jr. A hockey league in Canada, has had more than 120 NCAA, U SPORTS, CHL and professional commitments in 2019-20 – including more than 45 NCAA Division I scholarships.

Check out all our 2021-22 commitments by clicking HERE