James McEwan Headed To UNB
James McEwan, seen here with the OHL’s Guelph Storm, has committed to play for the UNB Varsity Reds – Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images
The Chatham product, and four year OHL veteran, all spent with the Guelph Storm will join the Canadian USports Bronze medallists from 2018, a move he felt was best for his future, on many levels.
“When choosing my school I looked at 3 things – program, the school itself, and hockey,” said McEwan, who will study kinesiology at the University of New Brunswick.
“UNB checked out in all of those aspects and as a bonus they have a rich history of success there and I’m really excited to be apart of the program. Additionally, not everyday do you get an opportunity where you get to live in a different province and I’m really looking forward to this new adventure.”
Last season, McEwan scored 13 goals and 35 points in 65 games for the Storm, and had 136 points in 239 career OHL games. Prior to the Storm, McEwan also played a season of Junior B hockey for the Chatham Maroons.
With pro options, McEwan had a difficult decision to go the U Sports route. Last season, he spent time with the Montreal Canadiens, advancing to their main camp before playing preseason action for their AHL affiliate in Laval. He previously played with the Pittsburgh Penguins at an NHL Rookie Tournament.
“The other options I was looking at was trying to go to play pro hockey,” said McEwan, a Chatham-Kent Cyclones alumni. “There was some interest but at the end of the day I had to sit down and make the best decision for myself. I felt like the best option was to go to school and continue to grow as a person and a player. The best part is while being at UND and being a part of their program, I’m only going to continue to get better.”
For McEwan, the decision to forgo pro hockey next season, and play USports hockey, doesn’t mean he’s given up on that goal. In fact, he sees the competition level at UNB as a step in the right direction.
“My goals in hockey continue to be the same, and that’s to play the highest level of hockey I can for as long as I can. Being at UNB, it’s most certainly not taking a step backwards, I look at it as if I’m making a jump forward. When you look at their roster it could very well be its own Pro team.”
McEwan joins a strong group of recruits for the 2018-2019 season. This offseason the Varsity Reds have also announced the commitments of QMJHLer Matthew Boucher, and WHL alumni Mark Rassell and Joe Gatenby.