D1 deal for Express forward
Chase Lammi, a 2002 birth-year forward with the Espanola Express of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League, has secured a future commitment to play at the Division 1, National Collegiate Athletic Association level, Hockey News North has confirmed.
Lammi, who suited up for the Sudbury Minor Wolves of the Great North Midget Hockey League in 2017-2018 before advancing to the NOJHL and Espanola as a 16-year old this 2018-2019 season, has a deal to play for the St. Lawrence University Saints of the Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference effective the 2022-2023 season.
A 90 per cent high school student at Lo-Ellen Park in Sudbury, Lammi plans on studying Mathematics at St. Lawrence. The school is based in Canton, New York.
Lammi, a 5-foot-10, 175-pound forward, was bypassed at the 2018 Ontario Hockey League draft. But he has parlayed the opportunity to play in the NOJHL for Espanola this season into his D1, NCAA commitment from St. Lawrence.
“I always dreamed about going to school and playing hockey. I wanted a good education but at the same time playing the sport that I love,” Lammi relayed to Hockey News North. “Committing to St. Lawrence University is a dream come true. I can’t thank everyone enough from my coaches to my teammates, family and advisor for helping me get to this point.”
Lammi’s advisor, Adrian Gedye of Pinnacle Hockey Management, said the hard-working youngster was motivated after being snubbed by the OHL and the Northern Ontario Hockey Association.
“Chase plays the right way and works as hard as any player I have ever represented,” Gedye began. “He used being passed over in the (OHL) draft and not being selected by Team NOHA last season as fuel and motivation. As a player that’s exactly what you must do.”
Espanola general manager Chad Clarke also commented on the Lammi commitment to St. Lawrence.
“Chase is a very hard working young man and we are very proud of him and all he has accomplished this season in Espanola,” Clarke told Hockey News North. “He never takes a day off and gives it his all at everything he does and that stands out, especially on the ice.
“Chase is the poster boy for what hard work and what dedication can do for advancing your career,” Clarke continued. “This is a huge accomplishment for Chase and our organization and we couldn’t be happier for him. I know he will be very successful at that level and we look forward to seeing where this next journey will take him.”
Lammi is third on the Espanola scoring chart this season despite being one of the youngest players in the 12-team NOJHL. He has 12 goals, 22 assists, 34 points in 47 games for the Express.
Lammi becomes the first NOJHL player in three years to get a Division 1, NCAA commitment.
PHOTO: Chase Lammi of the Espanola Express stickhandles through traffic in an NOJHL game from this season. (Photo by Chris Dawson.)
I’ve had the opportunity to watch Chase all year and I have to agree on the hard work ethic. Hard worker with a gentlemanly playing ethic. Good combination. I also had the pleasure of meeting his father in Trenton this year and you can see where he gets it. Congratulations, couldn’t be happier for you !!