PHOTO: Jack Murray
PENTICTON, BC. – The Penticton Vees Junior ‘A’ Hockey Club are pleased to announce forward Matteo Costantini (’02) has committed to the University of North Dakota.
Costantini, 17, is set to begin his first season in Penticton after a stellar year with the Buffalo Jr. Sabres of the Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL). The 6’0”, 174-pound forward produced 36 goals and 32 assists for 68 points in just 50 games over the 2019/20 campaign while adding 2 goals and 8 assists for 10 points in 6 playoff games.
The St. Catharines, Ontario earned many accolades in his first season of junior hockey, winning the OJHL’s Rookie of the Year and Top Prospect Award while being selected to the OJHL’s Second All-Star team. Costantini is also eligible for this year’s NHL Entry Draft, ranking 96th amongst North American skaters from the NHL’s Central Scouting department.
Costantini has shown his natural scoring ability all throughout his hockey career, scoring 34 goals and 35 assists for 69 points with the Buffalo Jr. Sabres U16 AAA squad before making the leap to Junior hockey.
“I’m extremely excited to announce my commitment to such a prestigious school like UND,” said Costantini, “They are at the top of the college hockey standings year after year and have always progressed players to professional hockey and the NHL. I feel this is the perfect place for myself to grow as a hockey player and as a person.”
