Community Events, News

SEMENIUK WANTS TO WIN A TITLE IN MILTON BEFORE HEADING TO MIDDLEBURY COLLEGE

by stryfon
CALEDON, ON - JANUARY 23: Cole Semeniuk #44 of the Milton Menace battles for the puck during the first period at the Mayfield Recreation Complex on January 23, 2025 in Ontario, Canada (Photo by Merina Richardson / OJHL Images)

Cole Semeniuk of the Ontario Junior Hockey Leagueā€™s Milton MenaceĀ has confirmed his commitment to join the NCAAā€™s Middlebury College Panthers in Middlebury, Vermont beginning with the 2025-26 season.

Semeniuk, 20, began his OJHL career with the Mississauga Chargers in 2020. He was traded to Milton the following season.

The Oakville resident has 24 points (7 goals/17 assists) and 56 penalty minutes this season.

ā€œThe OJ offered me the opportunity to be scouted by top universities from all over the country while living close to home,ā€ Semeniuk said. ā€œAfter a long history with the Milton Menace, I feel honoured to play my last year of junior here. The ownership and staff are world class, and I look forward to bringing home a championship for Milton.

ā€œI am honoured and excited to announce that I will be playing hockey at Middlebury College next year. Iā€™d like to thank my family, coaches, and teammates for helping me get to this point.ā€

The Menace staff praises the blueliner.

ā€œCole has been an integral piece to our defence and overall success over the past number of years as an organization,ā€ saidĀ Assistant Coach Daniel Eā€™ercole. ā€œHis ability to be trusted and leaned on in different situations throughout a game makes him extremely valuable for our club. To see him move on to the next level is well-deserved and we wish him the best of luckā€

ā€œCole has been an integral part of the Menace over the last few years,ā€ saidĀ Menace General Manager and Head Coach Dan Del Monte. ā€œHe impacts the game offensively and even more so as a defensive defenseman. He made a huge impact on our team as a 17-year-old, and it has been a joy to coach him and see him mature into the player and person he is as a 20-year-old. Committing to such a prestigious institution as Middlebury is a fantastic accomplishment.ā€

OJHL grads on this yearā€™s Middlebury roster includeĀ Dimitri Tzaferis (Wellington)Ā andĀ Jack Silverman (Collingwood).

Congratulations toĀ  Cole and best of luck in the NCAA!

Cole and the Menace are home Friday to Niagara Falls and Sunday to Georgetown.

The OJHL has had more than 90 Canadian Hockey League, U SPORTS and NCAA commitments already this season.

Check out all our current commitments here:Ā https://www.ojhl.ca/committments/