Starred in game at Toronto school during inaugural OJHL-OUA Series in January
Lachlan Wells of the Ontario Junior Hockey League’s Stouffville Spirit has confirmed his commitment to join U SPORTS’ Toronto Metropolitan University Bold beginning with the 2025-26 season.
Wells took part in the inaugural OJHL-OUA Series that featured 20-year-old graduating players from across the OJ facing two university teams during January – starring in the game at TMU.
“That game definitely helped in choosing TMU as I didn’t know much about the program before that,” Wells told the OJHL this week. “Even though everyone talks about going down to the States, I knew U SPORTS was a very high-level league and it was a goal of mine to play at that level.”
“After spending the day at TMU and seeing the amazing facility and seeing how they treat their players it definitely became my top choice very quickly.”
Wells, who is coming off a 63-point (22 goals/41 assists) season with Stouffville, entered the OJHL with the Oakville Blades in 2022-23.
“My time in the OJHL has been nothing but great,” he said. “I started off in Oakville as a 17-year-old. It was a huge adjustment from midget (U18) – everyone was faster, stronger and smarter.
“Since I stepped foot in Stouffville after being traded two years ago I have had an amazing time. I’ve enjoyed being a part of the many different community events, the bus rides with the boys and just playing the many games in front of the Stouffville crowd.”
“The Spirit coaching staff and my teammates have been key to my growth as a player. They put trust in me right from the beginning and gave me confidence to improve my game.”
Spirit Head Coach TJ Hill, the OJHL’s 2024-25 Coach of the Year, returned the compliment.
“Wellsy was huge for us all year,” said Hill, whose team advanced to OJHL quarter-finals this season. “He’s such a complete player. He gets it done in every zone, with and without the puck. Every situation, even strength, PP and PK. He can play both wing and centre at a high level. Thrilled to see him get an opportunity to play at the next level. It’s very well deserved.”
TMU Head Coach Johnny Duco also played for the Stouffville Spirit, one of his four stops in the OJHL. He has led TMU to fourth-place finishes at the U SPORTS nationals three times in the past four years.
“I chose TMU for many reasons,” said Wells, who lives on the east side of Toronto, “the amazing coaching staff, as well as the support staff, the top-tier arena and facilities, the winning culture and ability to push their players onto the next level. Also, being so close to home was a big plus, it’s only a short drive for many of my friends and family to come watch.”
Wells is the latest commitment from a record-breaking season for NCAA. U SPORTS and OHL signings out of Stouffville:
| STOUFFVILLE SPIRIT | ||||
| Andoni Fimis | London (OHL), Vermont (D1), 2025 | |||
| Julian Demiglio | RIT (D1), 2026. Brampton (OHL), 2025 | |||
| Brady Smith | Sudbury (OHL), 2025 | |||
| Tayjon Street | Sudbury (OHL), 2025 | |||
| Riley Clark | Kingston (OHL), 2025 | |||
| Max Davidson | Clarkson (DI) | |||
| Ivan Mentiukov | Clarkson (DI) | |||
| Josh Bonnyman | Flint (OHL), 2025 | |||
| Lachlan Wells | TMU (U SPORTS), 2025 | |||
The OJHL has had more than 100 Canadian Hockey League, U SPORTS and NCAA commitments already this season.
Check out all of the OJHL’s current commitments here: https://www.ojhl.ca/committments/
