Stars swap NCAA dreams for Canadian junior glory. Defensemen Drew Hockley and Joe Gramer jump leagues, boosting Quebec and WHL teams.
Over the past week, the NCAA and CHL have continued to be airports. Notable arrivals and departures will always be here on The Hockey News
Drew Hockley Leaves Quinnipiac for QMJHL
14-4-2 Quinnipiac sees a loss of a blueliner as the season progresses.
After nine games in the current season, Drew Hockley has left the Bobcats from Hamden, Connecticut in order for a shot at one last season in Canadian juniors.
Born in 2005 in Nova Scotia, Hockley will make his second lap with Canadian juniors, but at a much bigger stage than before. The right-handed shooting defenseman played with the Victoria Grizzlies before joining Quinnipiac mid-season last season.
Shawinigan, who is actively on a three-game winning streak, gets even better. They stand second out of eight teams in the Western Conference
Hockley has already played in one game for the Cataractes, where they won 7-2 on January 8th. He earned his first QMJHL point on an assist for the game-winning goal, as well as had a +2 performance.
Joe Gramer headed to Seattle Thunderbirds of WHL
Nebraska Omaha’s Joe Gramer will play in a Canadian league for the first time in his career, but will stay in Washington to play with the Seattle Thunderbirds. Gramer has played junior hockey in the past, but in the USHL for the Des Moines Buccaneers. He was actively in his second season for the Mavericks in the NCAA, inching towards his 50th career appearance.
The Thunderbirds could use some experience on the defensive end, currently sitting at 11th/12 in the Western Conference of the WHL.
Gramer is born in 2005 just like Hockley, which means he will likely be back in the NCAA next year.