COMMITMENT ALERT | William Desmarais commits to USports Ontario Tech University for 2022-2023

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Ottawa, ON – The Ottawa Jr. Senators are proud to announce the commitment of goaltender William Desmarais to USports Ontario Tech University (Oshawa, ON) for the 2022-2023 season.

Desmarais, 20, joined OJS prior to the season in a trade with the MJHL’s Selkirk Steelers.

“Will is the perfect character and personality for a top-tier goaltender,” said Head Coach Kyle Makaric. “He is a great teammate and the guys love him and will go through a wall to help him achieve success and in turn that leads to team results. He takes practices as seriously as games and if you scored one on him in practice he was sure to remember it and be sure to not let you score that next time. That competitiveness was his way of pushing our guys and making them dig deeper every day. That kind of leadership is organic and the example he set off the ice and on the ice is something our group took notice of and his influence will be seen in the returning players. We wish Will all the best and can’t wait to see him at the next level at UOIT.”

The Sherbrooke native starred in the crease this season in the Nation’s Capital, going 27-5-0, with a 2.05 GAA, a .927 save percentage, and three shutouts in 35 games. Desmarais ranked tied for first in shutouts, second in wins, and GAA, while third in save percentage.

“I cannot thank the people within the Ottawa Jr. Senators organization enough for the tremendous season,” explained Desmarais. “To all my coaches and teammates, it was a fantastic season and one I will not forget! It’s an honour to continue my dream and pursue my education at Ontario Tech.”

Prior to OJS, Desmarais backstopped the Sherbrooke Phoenix for one game in 2019-2020. The former Gatineau Intrépide netminder later joined the Collège Champlain-Lennoxville Cougars of the QCHL. The 5’9, 176 lb goaltender earned CCHL Playoff MVP with OJS this past spring, going 11-1 with a 1.55 GAA and .933 save percentage, clinching the team’s third straight Bogart Cup.

Desmarais becomes the seventh member of the 2021-22 Junior Senators to commit to either a post-junior program, joining Sam Edwards (Maryville), David Mabey (York), Thomas Freel (Maine), Philippe Jacques (RIT), Bodie Nobes (Maine), and Simon Isabelle (RIT).

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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