Vancouver Canucks Prospect Opens Up About Tough Decision to Leave and Sign With New Organization
Photo credit: OHL
Vancouver Canucks prospect Anthony Romani has opened up on his decision to leave the Ontario Hockey League behind and head to the NCAA starting this fall.
The new agreement between the Canadian Hockey League and the NCAA will go into effect starting next season and we've already seen a number of prospects announce their plans to head down south including Cayden Lindstrom (Michigan State), Henry Mews (University of Michigan) and Malcolm Spence (University of Michigan), with more expected in the weeks ahead.
Last month, Vancouver Canucks prospect Anthony Romani announced his commitment to Michigan State University this fall after four seasons in the Ontario Hockey League with the North Bay Battalion and Barrie Colts.
"The Barrie Colts would like to congratulate Anthony Romani on his commitment to Michigan State University for the 2025-26 season. Romani will forgo his overage year in the OHL as he takes the next step in both his academic and hockey careers." the Barrie Colts said.
Anthony Romani opens up on decision to leave OHL's Barrie Colts for the NCAA
Romani could've returned to the Ontario Hockey League for his overage season with the Barrie Colts or even could've signed his entry-level contract with Vancouver and played the 2025-26 campaign in Abbotsford, but he's opted to head to the NCAA.
It's a pretty smart decision for the 19-year-old as he'll be able to get an education, play at one of the top hockey programs in the United States and get paid through NIL (name, image and likeness), which varsity players are able to profit off of after a 2021 ruling, which will make leaving the CHL for the NCAA a no brainer for some.
In a recent interview with Chris Faber, Anthony Romani spoke about his decision to commit to Michigan State University and leave Canadian junior hockey behind.
Romani revealed that he spoke with, and visited, a handful of schools before landing on Michigan State, lauding their facilities as a big reason for why he chose to go there.
"It is a super cool opportunity for me. I think when that whole rule change happened, I was excited for it, and it was something I was interested in. We thought it would be a good option going into next year. As time went on, I talked to some schools. I was lucky enough; when I was injured, I was able to visit Michigan State and a couple of other schools. It was really cool to see the facilities and all they had to offer." Romani said.
The Pickering, Ontario native had a strong season with the Barrie Colts, who acquired him from North Bay ahead of the OHL's trade deadline in early January, giving him an opportunity to play alongside fellow Vancouver Canucks prospect Riley Patterson, as well as Utah Mammoth first-rounder Cole Beaudoin, Dallas Stars first-rounder Emil Hemming and other NHL-drafted prospects including Beau Akey (Edmonton), Gabriel Eliasson (Ottawa), Tristan Bertucci (Dallas) and Brad Gardiner (Dallas).
In 29 regular season games with Barrie, Romani registered 30 points (19 goals, 11 assists), following that up with 24 points (12 goals, 12 assists) in 16 playoff games, helping the Colts reach the Eastern Conference Final for the first time since 2016.
Playing against tougher competition in the NCAA will help Anthony Romani's development both short-term and long-term as he looks to begin his professional hockey career with the Vancouver Canucks organization in the years to come.
Source: Vancouver Canucks/Chris Faber
Building Blue: Anthony Romani Discusses a Year of Learning and His Move to the NCAA Next Season
Building Blue: Anthony Romani Discusses a Year of Learning and His Move to the NCAA Next Season
Previously on CanucksDaily
| POLL | ||
JUIN 12 | 1065 ANSWERS Vancouver Canucks Prospect Opens Up About Tough Decision to Leave and Sign With New Organization Do you think Anthony Romani is making the right decision by heading to the NCAA? | ||
| Yes | 785 | 73.7 % |
| No, should've stayed in the OHL | 280 | 26.3 % |
| List of polls | ||
TRENDING NOW
