Unanimous All-Star GOJHL Thorold Blackhawks goaltender Vinny Merante is on his way to Wilfrid Laurier University.
The Western New York native who has done nothing but win games where ever he has played is now realizing his dream of playing collegiate hockey at one of the best University’s in Canada. The Wilfrid Laurier Golden Eagles participate in the Canadian Interuniversity Sport conference, Canada’s version of Division I College Hockey.
Merante started playing with Western New York’s youth teams as a child, including Grand Niagara, the Hamburg Hawks, West Seneca Wings and Buffalo Regals. He also played on to the junior B Buffalo Stars, a year at Niagara Falls High School and two years at Niagara Wheatfield High School.
In the 2011-2012 season Merante played in the Ontario Junior Hockey League for the Huntsville Otters. Huntsville folded after his first season, but Vinny was able to land in the GOJHL with the Thorold Blackhawks.
Competing against some of the top players coming out of the OHL this season while attending school will keep Merante in front of pro scouts as well. Some of the top players coming out of the OHL choose to use their education packages immediately and play in the CIS system. CIS programs regularly produce players that upon graduation go on to play professionally in North America and Europe.
Merante has also taken the last few years and put in extra work off the ice to complete many of his prerequisite classes which will allow for him to have a lighter class load while he competes on the ice.
Focussed on his education and becoming the best player he can be Merante is the definition of student athlete.
