The Oakville Blades are pleased to announce that defenseman Gregory Campbell has committed to Union College for the 2015-2016 season.
A member of the Team Canada East entry at the World Junior A Hockey Challenge last season, Greg’s offensive numbers (10g, 24a) and poise really shone through during last year’s rebuild. Previously a member of the Oakville Rangers Minor Midget AAA club, Campbell has been incredible to start off the season, recording 23 points in 22 games this season as a top pairing defenseman.
“I’m just thrilled and honoured to be a part of such an amazing program like Union,” Greg said. “They continue to graduate talented players that move on with their hockey careers. Also, their academic program there is top notch and would be a great fit for me to be a great student athlete.”
This past weekend, Campbell competed at the 2014 Central Canada Cup All-Star Challenge, representing the Blades, along with Daniel Mannella, on Team Hawerchuk. In the five games prior to the event, Campbell played some of his best hockey all season, recording seven points in that span.
“Having the opportunity to watch Greg's development from Minor Midget to now I'm very happy he's reached his goal of playing college hockey at Union,” said Blades General Manager Mike Daley. “Greg has worked very hard to improve his weaknesses and has become such a poised defenseman on both sides of the puck. The best comment from the Central Canada Cup this weekend came from a rival coach who said "I didn't realize how good he was until I got to watch him up close". The Blades organization couldn't be happier for Greg and his family."
Greg is a product of the Minor Oaks Hockey association and played all his minor hockey in Oakville.
“It has been his dream to play Division 1 Hockey but to have Union as defending National Champions and all the success they have had and t might say with a number of former Oakville Blades, it just can't get better than that,” said Greg’s Dad and Blades owner Rob Campbell. “For him to play for the. Blades under Kevin Gomes and now Mike Tarantino gave him an excellent opportunity to fulfill his dream of playing D1. I can't say enough for his Blades coaching and team support staff over the last few years and his teammates that have helped Greg along his way. Dreams do come true right here in Oakville!”
Union College, who features former Blades forward Mark Bennett on the roster, won its first hockey title by defeating Minnesota 7-4 in the NCAA Frozen Four championships last year. Campbell is the third current Blade to commit to a college, as Sean Kohler (Penn State University) and Matt McLeod (Canisius College) have also done so.