Cato Signs With OJHL’s Toronto Lakeshore Patriots

Chatham’s Dede Cato has signed to play with the OJHL’s Junior A Toronto Lakeshore Patriots, who are the reigning OJHL League Champions, and Dudley Hewitt Cup Champions.

A top feeder league for NCAA DI schools and the OHL, the OJHL is considered Ontario’s top league outside the OHL.

Cato, who played for the Dresden Jr. Kings as a 16-year-old rookie last season, scored 10 goals and 19 assists in 40 games as a rookie, and was named the team’s Rookie of the Year.

Cato attended the mini camps of the North Bay Battalion and Kitchener Rangers this offseason, and was invited back to the main camp for each. If he fails to make an OHL roster, Cato will get plenty of attention and opportunity with the Toronto Lakeshore Patriots.

Last year, multiple OJHL players were selected directly to the NHL Draft, including Toronto Lakeshore Patriots defenseman Michael Prapavessis, who was a 4th round selection of the Dallas Stars.

Cato was the captain of the Minor Midget Chatham-Kent Cyclones ‘AAA’ team two seasons ago, an age group which produced Travis Konecny, Brendan Johnston, and James McEwan, who all spent time in the OHL last season, as well as Drew Marlatt, who will play Junior B this season and was the Great Lakes Junior C rookie of the year, and Trent Fox, who is expected to crack the Erie Otters lineup this season.