By Nate Ewell

For Matt McLeod, a 17-year-old from North York, Ontario, a dream is coming into focus. In early October the Toronto Lakeshore Patriots forward committed to Canisius for 2015.

"It's a dream come true," McLeod said recently. "I've always thought, ever since seeing my first NCAA game, that it would be cool to play in that environment. Being in school and playing at such a high level is a perfect situation."

At Canisius, McLeod will join a program with a promising future. Coming off their first league championship and first NCAA Tournament appearance in 2012-13, the Golden Griffins will move into Buffalo's HARBORCenter next season.

"You can definitely tell that their program is moving forward, and I'm excited to be a part of that," McLeod said. "I felt like it was a perfect fit. I felt like I was loved and wanted there."

The OJHL, where McLeod is a rookie, has been fertile recruiting ground for all of college hockey, but particularly schools close to the Ontario border like Canisius. Head coach Dave Smith's team has eight OJHL alums on its roster now, and all five future commits have played in the league.

Playing in the OJHL has given McLeod tremendous exposure. He said he received the offer from Canisius after a preseason game and accepted shortly after the OJHL Showcase in Oakville, Ontario, which drew coaches from nearly every Division I school.

"They didn't rush me at all," McLeod said of the Canisius staff. "They wanted me to take my time to make sure that I was comfortable with my decision, and I appreciated that."

Like many young players in Ontario, McLeod entertained the idea of playing in the OHL during his minor midget season and was selected in the sixth round by the Barrie Colts. After campus visits and participating in a College Hockey Inc. Summit in 2012, he knew college was his preferred path.

Now he's got the next step of that path planned out, and he couldn't be happier.