(FREDERICTON, NB) The UNB REDS men’s hockey team is adding forward Emmett Sproule, of Collingwood, ON, to their roster.
The 21-year-old has signed a U SPORTS Letter of Intent and has joined the REDS for the remainder of the 2022-23 Atlantic University Sport season and beyond.
“Emmett had a breakout season as a 20-year-old and was among the top, dynamic players in the OHL,” said REDS head coach Gardiner MacDougall. “He has the ability to make high-quality plays off the rush, has great offensive instincts and a real passion for the game and for getting better.”
Sproule recently completed a major junior career that saw him play in more than 250 regular season Ontario Hockey League games with the Erie Otters and Peterborough Petes.
In 2021-22, with the Petes, Sproule recorded career-highs, scoring 30 goals and 56 assists, putting him among the OHL scoring leaders.
“I’m a positive person who can bring a good level of offence,” said Sproule, who has family connections in Fredericton. “I have an ability to see my teammates, good vision on the ice and I think I have a nose to find the back of the net. Last year, in Peterborough, we had great chemistry on our power-play and I learned lots on the penalty kill.”
Earlier this year, after attending the Buffalo Sabres’ NHL training camp and that of the Sabres’ American Hockey League affiliate, the Rochester Americans, Sproule joined the Cincinnati Cyclones, of the East Coast Hockey League, where he registered three assists in four games.
“After those four games, I decided that wasn’t for me,” he said. “I think it’s better for me to develop here at UNB and advance my game from here.”
“Everything about this organization is pro-like,” said Sproule. “They treat everyone with respect and move so many on to the next level. I could never have said no to that. The guys have been welcoming and I’m excited to start here.”
“It gets tougher to score in the AUS in the second half and we believe Emmett can provide a boost to that part of the game for us,” said Coach MacDougall. “He has a great deal of energy on the ice and our fans will enjoy the plays he makes and his positive contribution to our continued success.”
Sproule says his development has already improved after only a short time with the REDS.
“It’s been awesome practicing with these guys. High intensity, way different from the level I was just at. Practices here are way more intense, and everyone is competitive and comes here to get better and brings a work-ethic that’s unreal.”
Sproule is expected to make his REDS debut when UNB resumes the 2022-2023 Atlantic University Sport regular season against top-notch opponents the weekend of January 6th and 7th, 2023.
On Friday the 6th, the REDS are in Moncton.
Sproule’s Aitken Centre debut should come the next night, the 7th, when the REDS host UPEI in a battle of the top two teams in the Atlantic conference.
The REDS and Panthers played an exciting game, in Charlottetown, on December 3rd, the final game of the first half. UNB scored a short-handed goal to beat the Panthers 3-2. The re-match, the annual Mark Jeffrey Memorial Game, should be as exciting.
Sproule will study Business while attending UNB.
STORY: Andy Campbell/UNB Athletics
PHOTO: David Pickering and Kenneth Anderson Photography/for Peterborough Petes