2026 NHL draft prospect Cole Zurawski is yet another Owen Sound Attack forward who has committed to an NCAA school.
Greg Cowan, a sports reporter for the Sun Times who covers the Owen Sound Attack, recently talked about the new landscape between the NCAA and its relation to player recruitment for the OHL.
“OHL GMs/Coaches now need to recruit twice. Once to sell the program, and again to get players to stay when the NCAA comes calling,” he wrote on X.
Cowan mentioned that Owen Sound Attack Head Coach Scott Wray said he figures that jumping to the NCAA at ages 18/19 is “accelerating their adulthood.”
“You get four years in this league for a reason, to get bigger, stronger, and smarter,” Wray also mentioned to Cowan. These comments may have been said since another Attack player has announced his commitment to the NCAA following the completion of his OHL career.
2026 NHL draft prospect Cole Zurawski has announced his commitment to play for Notre Dame.
Zurawski was drafted sixth overall by the Flint Firebirds in 2024. Owen Sound acquired him before last year’s trade deadline in the deal that included Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Sam McCue.
The Barrie, Ontario, native has had a strong start to his NHL draft season, developing into the dangerous goal scorer that he was expected to become from his OHL draft year. Regarding first-year draft-eligible players in the OHL, Zurawski ranks eighth in points (29) and is tied for fifth in goals (16).
His teammate, Tristan Delisle, recently committed to Michigan Tech. Around 75% of Owen Sound’s roster is now committed to playing in the NCAA once their OHL careers are complete. But as Greg Cowan mentioned, the term “committed” can be used very loosely in college sports, and things can change on a dime.
Make sure you bookmark THN's OHL site for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more. Also, be sure to leave a comment at the bottom of the page and engage with other passionate fans through our forum.
Latest OHL News:
Canada vs. Sweden: Key Roster Cuts Loom As Pre-Tournament Action Begins In Kitchener
Canada takes on Sweden in Kitchener tonight in their first 2026 World Juniors pre-tournament game. OHL forwards on the bubble and will need to impress tonight.
Ex-OHLer Makes NHL Debut With San Jose Sharks
Former Saginaw Spirit forward Igor Chernyshov made his NHL debut with the San Jose Sharks.
OHL Trade: Kitchener Acquires Top Overage Forward Dylan Edwards From Erie
Kitchener bolsters its lineup, acquiring one of the top overage players on the market, Dylan Edwards, to fuel their championship aspirations.