By Joshua Boyd / USPHLPremier.com
After College Universel Gatineau’s inaugural season as the first Canada-based USPHL Premier team, top-scoring forward Louis Ouellet has set up his NCAA future with Westfield State University in Massachusetts.
Ouellet, a 2003-born native of Baie-Comeau, Que., scored 15 goals and 38 assists for 53 points in 44 USPHL Premier regular season games. He’s excited to take this offense to college hockey in 2024-25.
“The reason why I chose Westfield is because of their welcoming atmosphere given by the coaching staff and the players. I’ve met with some current players and they have told me just positive points about the program,” said Ouellet. “As I was visiting the campus and the athletic facility, it seemed like a great place to develop as a hockey player and as a student-athlete. They also have a great reputation for the education given at Westfield State. Being able to grow as a hockey player as well as a human being was an important point for my decision for my next adventure.”
Ouellet is closing three seasons with College Universel, including two seasons prior to their 2023-24 entry into the USPHL Premier. This year, Universel Gatineau will be one of six teams – five new to the USPHL – in the USPHL Premier’s Canada Division.
“I’ve loved my experience with College Universel. I had a great coaching staff that was leading me to excellence. It was great having the opportunity to play a good level of hockey as well as having a great education at College Universel,” added Ouellet. “Our team’s values really reflected the type of team that I want to be recognized for, and our team was really close and it made us feel like one big family which helped us out there.”
He feels like he took a fantastic leap in his game during the 2023-24 season as Universel enjoyed success in their inaugural USPHL Premier season.
“This year, I have developed my hockey IQ and my vision on the game,” Ouellet added. “I was following the game and I was anticipating the play before it was happening. I think it was a big part of my game this year. We had some good chances with everyone bringing their best out there.”
Even with all of that improvement and development, he still put plenty of work into his game over the summer to get ready to join the Westfield State Owls, who compete in the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC).
“The part of my game that I need to work on most is my physical game. I’d like to be stronger and be able to use my body to my advantage,” Ouellet said.
The USPHL congratulates Louis Ouellet, his family, the College Universel Gatineau and Westfield State University for his commitment.
