Photo by Sara Vasseur
By Joshua Boyd / USPHLPremier.com
Aidan Canady enjoyed many different views of the USPHL Premier over two seasons, including his favorite – from the top as a champion. He will also enjoy the view of the USPHL Premier as the source of his forthcoming NCAA college hockey career. The 2003-born defenseman from Schaumburg, Ill., is preparing to join Post University this fall.
Canady came over to the Connecticut Jr. Rangers towards the end of the 2023-24 regular season and was a key blueliner en route to winning their first Premier championship in March. He had previously skated with the Motor City Gamblers and Chicago Cougars going back to the 2022-23 season. From here, it’s on to Waterbury, Conn., and the Post Eagles.
“I decided to commit to Post University to have the privilege to play NCAA hockey for a program that prides in excellence and offers the most opportunities for my development. Coach Tim Richter made it clear in my recruiting stage that I would be an impact player right away as a freshman. I’ve always taken pride in being a reliable defenseman that makes consistent impacts in all situations of the game, and I felt that Post was the best fit for my future goals as a hockey player,” said Canady.
It’s all about taking care of business for the no-nonsense defenseman, and that’ll extend off the ice as well.
“As for the academic side, Post offers a Business Administration program that best suits my interest in finance and business management. Post takes pride in their athletes and creates flexible schedules with their sport as well as offering remote access to classes when athletes are traveling for games,” he said. “Overall, Post University is a perfect fit for my desires and goals in my academic and hockey careers. I couldn’t be more excited to start my collegiate career.”
Just around Valentine’s Day, the Jr. Rangers showed their affection for Canady by bringing him on board after what was already an amazing season where he had put up 34 points in 38 games with the Cougars.
“I believe my playing time with the Connecticut Jr. Rangers was very impactful to my game. After getting traded there mid-season, I stepped into a winning team with a winning desire. Their staff was unbelievable with helping me get adjusted to the area, the facilities, and the winning culture,” said Canady. “Playing for the Rangers brought out my best abilities due to their high offensive systems. Playing with 100-point players was super fun and it made the game a lot easier. It helped me grow a lot as a player. I got to battle against them in practice everyday as well as nitpicking different skills they strived at in order to improve my own game.”
He put up six points in five regular season games with the Jr. Rangers, and then had a pair of assists in the 10 games in the postseason that it took Connecticut to lift the championship trophy.
“All these benefits from the Jr. Rangers will definitely help me translate into the collegiate level. Coach [Mike] Stanaway and his staff did a tremendous job of teaching us how to prepare for the next level, and how to act like pros on and off the ice. He brought in former players that played NCAA hockey to share experiences with us to show what it takes to win and be a successful college student,” Canady added. “In the end, my time with the Jr. Rangers definitely prepared me well for my next step in hockey and in life. I am beyond grateful for the opportunity to play and win for Connecticut and their organization.”
Joining the Rangers around the same time as former Cougars teammate T.J. Haas – a four-year Premier veteran bound for Arcadia University – they both saw the ultimate culmination of everything they’d worked for in the Premier Conference by holding up the trophy at the Utica University Nexus Center.
“Winning the National Championship with the Jr. Rangers was the best experience in my hockey career by far. From the first day I met everyone in that rink, I knew this team was going to be special,” Canady added. “All the hours, and dedication we put into practice and time in the gym, it felt amazing knowing we reached our goal and made it to the top of the mountain. Knowing what it takes to win and experiencing the feelings and emotions was truly indescribable.”
He looks back fondly on all of his different USPHL Premier experiences going back to joining the Motor City Gamblers in 2022, playing for the NHL’s Willie O’Ree Community Hero Award Winner Jason McCrimmon. His 66-point campaign earned him 2022-23 Midwest East All-Star honors.
“Being in the USPHL taught me a lot. My rookie year in Motor City for the Gamblers was my first time being away from home for an extended period of time. I learned how to cook and make meals for myself, manage my time with hockey and work, as well as meeting tons of new friends that I still keep in touch until this day,” he said. “On the ice, I had to learn to be a leader even as a rookie on a very young team. Coach McCrimmon, Coach Shaheen, Coach Wilt, and GM Chase Crawshaw installed a whole new level of confidence in my play which led to a breakout season. Motor City was such a huge year for my growth and achievements for my hockey career.”
This year, he made the transition to returning closer to home with the Cougars and he was equally grateful for those who made his time there a success.
“As for my time with the Chicago Cougars, Josh Dallmann and Joey Caprio gave me the veteran role to mentor our young team. Even though our team wasn’t the strongest, my time in Chicago taught me how to become a veteran leader in the locker room,” Canady said. “All these experiences in the USPHL prior to my time in Connecticut taught me how to become an adult as well as become a natural leader. These skills will definitely be needed in college and I’m grateful I spent time in Motor City and Chicago to help build my character.”
Now, the focus is completely on what he’ll be able to bring to the Post Eagles, who play in the nation’s only NCAA Division II circuit, the Northeast-10 Conference.
“I believe I need to work on getting stronger physically ahead of playing college hockey,” Canady said. “I feel like getting stronger and faster will help me adjust easier going against other athletes older than me. Not only that, but getting stronger physically will help me win more puck battles, net front battles, and add more power to my shots as a defenseman. I’m excited to get this next chapter at Post going and I can’t wait to start my hockey collegiate career.”
The USPHL congratulates Aidan Canady, his family, the Connecticut Jr. Rangers and Post University for his commitment.
