‘Probably the most fun I’ve had playing junior. I love the city of Stouffville. I was treated so well.’
Hayden Sabourin is taking his talents to downtown Toronto.
The Stouffville Spirit’s graduating goaltender has committed to play next year for the nationally-ranked Toronto Metropolitan University Bold in the OUA and U SPORTS.
“I was originally thinking about (NCAA) Division 3,” Sabourin said from his family’s home in Guelph this week. “I talked to some schools down south, but then TMU communicated with me. They showed a lot of interest and I thought it was the best spot for me.”
He’ll enroll in the business management program.
Sabourin gives an assist to former Spirit and TMU forward Kosta Manikis for recommending him to the school’s coaching staff.
TMU scouted Sabourin and saw one of his finest games of the year, a 35-save performance during a 2-1 win over the regular season champion Toronto Patriots on Nov. 16.
Sabourin, who turns 21 on May 27, was traded to the Spirit by the Ontario Junior Hockey League’s Mississauga Chargers last summer. The Oshawa Generals’ draft pick played single seasons with the Chargers and the London Nationals and Elmira Sugar Kings of the GOJHL before arriving in Stouffville.
Sabourin led all goaltenders in the 24-team OJHL by appearing in 40 games last season. He had a 2.46 goals against average, 0.916 save percentage and five shutouts.
He backstopped the Spirit to the best regular season record (40-14-2-0) in the 30-year history of the franchise.
“Sabs was a rock for us all year long and was a huge reason why we won as many games as we did,” said Spirit Head Coach TJ Hill. “Very happy for him. Well deserved and we wish him all the best at TMU.”
Sabourin, who will be back in Stouffville next week to help out at the team’s development champs, leaves town with fond memories.
“I had a blast,” he said. “Probably the most fun I’ve had playing junior. I love the city of Stouffville. I was treated so well. Nothing but respect for Kenny (Burrows, Spirit GM and Governor) and the staff, as well.”
“Our billets, the Gallaghers, are the greatest family I have probably ever met. They’re just great people. Smitty (defenceman Rowan Smith) and I were treated really well by all of them.”
Spirit alum Lachlan Wells was a rookie on the TMU team last season.
Another former Spirit forward, Johnny Duco, is the head coach at TMU.
“It’s kind of funny that Kenny was his GM in junior, too,” Sabourin said. “They’ve got a great coaching staff down there. So I’m pretty excited.”
