Congratulations to alum Sam Wathier, who has committed to Boston College of the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I for the 2026-2027 season!

Sam, a 6’2 two-way defenseman had 14 points in 30 games for the Eastern Ontario Wild U16 AAA team this past season.

It’s been quite the last few months for Sam as he’s been heavily recruited to join a number junior teams to continue his development.

He was drafted into the Ontario Hockey League by the Windsor Spitfires and also selected in the Central Canada Hockey League Jr A draft by the Navan Grads.

Most impressive of all was his selection to attend the U17 U.S. National Team Development Program Evaluation Camp. Sam made the team and chose to go this route, establishing himself as one of the top 2008 born USA skaters and will continue to grow in their program.

Sam attended CIHA in the 2021-2022 season and was as underage player for our U15 AAA team, putting up 5 points in 29 games.

He also has strong hockey bloodlines as his father Francis played 10 games in the NHL for the Dallas Stars and 577 games in the AHL. Francis was also a part of our coaching staff and development team from 2016-2019 and 2021-2022.

Sam joins a growing list of alumni attending NCAA Division I programs and will be our 2^nd alum to attend the USNTDP after St. Louis Blues draft pick, Dylan Peterson.