COMMITMENT ALERT | Rorke Applebee commits to Lake Superior State University for 2024-2025

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Ottawa, ON – The Ottawa Jr. Senators are proud to announce the commitment of goaltender Rorke Applebee to NCAA D1 Lake Superior State University (Sault Ste. Marie, MI) for the 2024-2025 season.

Applebee, 19, joined OJS prior to the season after spending two years at Portsmouth Abbey School of the USHS-Prep League.

The Châteauguay, Quebec product starred in the crease this season in the Nation’s Capital, going 24-2-3, with a CCHL-best 2.07 GAA, a .934 save percentage, and three shutouts in 31 games. Applebee’s goals against average ranked fifth-best in franchise history. In Applebee’s final 26 starts of the regular season, OJS did not lose in regulation. Over that stretch, he earned December Goalie of the Month and was a finalist for CCHL Goalie of the Year.

“I don’t think we’re surprised that Rorke has committed to an NCAA Division 1 hockey team. He was the best goalie in the CCHL from start to finish last season and was even better at the Centennial Cup. I’m sure he will do really well at Lake Superior State, said OJS President and Hockey Operations, Martin Dagenais. “It’s also a lesson for the players who think they have a better shot at playing NCAA hockey by moving south of the border. Too many of them think that it will help their chances to earn a scholarship, but in reality, most of them are simply not good enough to play at that level. At the end of the day, if you’re good enough to play Division 1 hockey, you will get a scholarship. It doesn’t matter in which league you play. Rorke is the perfect example.”

Prior to OJS, Applebee backstopped the Portsmouth Abbey School of the USHS-Prep League and Howard S. Billings Blazers. The 6’0, 170 lb goaltender earned CCHL Playoff MVP with OJS this past spring, going 12-2-3 with a 1.93 GAA and .936 save percentage, clinching the team’s fourth straight Bogart Cup. At the Centennial Cup, Applebee helped lead OJS to the semi-finals with a 3-1 record, a 1.58 GAA, and a .942 save percentage.

“First off I’d like to thank every member of the OJS organization for their relentless dedication and support throughout this season,” explained Applebee. “OJS allowed my first year of junior hockey to be the most memorable season of my life. Along with winning a championship, the most memorable part of this year will be my teammates. Without them battling night in and night out I would not be where I am today. The friendships I’ve made will surely last a lifetime. With that being said, I am extremely excited and proud to be committed to such an excellent school and hockey program at Lake Superior State University. Super excited for this next chapter in my hockey and academic career!”

Applebee becomes the fifth member of the 2022-2023 Junior Senators to commit to a post-junior program, joining Chase Lammi (UPEI), Anton Sorensen (Adrian College), Vincent Velocci (Amherst College), and Owen Protz (Sudbury Wolves).

Stay up to date with OJS news on the team’s social media platforms.

Photos and Graphic credit: Davide Disipio & Nathan Pavao

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