Soo Eagles G nets NCAA deal
Joseph Benedetto, a 1998 birth year goalie with the Soo Eagles of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League, has a college commitment for next season.
The 6-foot, 175-pound twine tender will head to Lawrence University in the fall as a member of the Vikings, who are a Division 3, National Collegiate Athletic Association program.
Lawrence is based in Appleton, Wisconsin.
Benedetto has a 14-12-1 record with a 3.03 goals against average and .908 save percentage for the Eagles, who are in third place in the East Division of the NOJHL. He has been sharing goal-tending duties for the Eagles this season with Shane Brancato, who has a 1999 birth date.
Benedetto, who is in his first season in the NOJHL, extended credit to those who have helped him attain an NCAA commitment.
“Thank you to the entire Soo Eagles organization, coaches and teammates and my parents, who have helped me this year,” Benedetto told Hockey News North. “Playing college hockey has been a goal for me my whole life.”
Eagles general manager Bruno Bragagnolo said Lawrence University is getting “a good, character kid in Joseph and a goalie who has continually improved for us this season.
“Having said that,” Bragagnolo continued, “Joseph is going to a really good school and a really good hockey program in Lawrence.”
Prior to signing with the NOJHL Eagles last fall, Benedetto played for the Boston Jr. Bandits of the U.S. Premier Hockey League.