.jpg) Brayden Irwin is keen on making a serious post-season run this year. (Photo courtesy Thom Kendall, University of Vermont)
The Upper Canada College alumnus will tell you otherwise.
Irwin is currently in his third year at the University of Vermont where he lines up at forward with the Catamounts, a NCAA Division 1 squad ranked fifth in the United States.
Initially leaning towards playing major junior hockey in Ontario, it didn’t take much for the 21-year-old to changes his mind.
“Growing up in Toronto you have two routes you can go: the Ontario Hockey League or college,” Irwin said over the phone from Vermont. “College was the best fit for me.
“I came down to look at a bunch of schools with my dad and we watched some games too,” he added. “The route most players take is the OHL, but when I came down here and saw the atmosphere in some of the rinks, I changed my mind immediately.”
Irwin started playing hockey at neighbourhood outdoor rinks when he was four-years-old. After several seasons with the North Toronto Hockey Association, two years with the UCC Blues and a couple of campaigns with the St. Michael’s Buzzers, Irwin made the trek down south.
With a final list that included the University of New Hampshire and Cornell University, Irwin picked Vermont because “I liked the coaching staff, the players made me feel welcome right off the bat, it has great facilities and it’s a nice place to go to school.”
And since hockey gets a lot of attention in the area, it made his decision a little easier.
“I’d say in general hockey gets a lot of attention in the north east,” said Irwin, who was drafted by the OHL’s Brampton Battalion in 2003. “I feel like we get a great following with some great fans and it’s definitely a fun place to play.
“We get more attention here than major junior teams would in the Toronto area.”
In his three years as a Catamount, Irwin has posted 22 goals and 23 assists in 93 games. He said he wanted to put up better numbers this year – 5 goals and 3 assists in 21 games – but is excited at Vermont’s potential for success.
“We got off to a pretty good start in the first half of the season, but it’s been a little up and down so far in the second half,” he said of a team that sits third in the Hockey East standings with a 9–5–3 division record and an overall mark of 14–6–4.
“I think all in all we have a good group of guys that have played together for a couple years now with some good chemistry and I think we’re starting to play the way we’re capable of.”
But despite putting up less than desired stats, Irwin is pleased with his overall development in his three years at Vermont.
“I’ve definitely grown and I’m starting to realize what are some of the things that make me successful out there and trying to do that on a more consistent basis,” he said. “I’m focused on developing as a player even if the points might not be there.
“I try to make an impact on every shift I play.”
As he prepares to help his team make a run for a Hockey East divisional and NCAA national titles, Irwin said he’s extremely happy with the decision he made three years ago.
“No regrets,” said Irwin, who hopes to play professionally one day. “I’ve fully enjoyed myself on and off the ice and I am very grateful that I’ve had the opportunity to play here.”
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