Sarnia Sting Overage Forward Commits To NCAA University Of Vermont

Since the rule change, we have seen a large number of NCAA commitments from players in the OHL, WHL, and QMJHL, which has given the older players in the league something to look forward to once their careers in major junior hockey conclude.

The majority of these players would go on and fight to earn an AHL contract or play in the CIS while attending a Canadian university. However, let's face it, the talent level in the CIS is nowhere near what the NCAA has to offer.

Sarnia Sting overage forward Zach Filak is one of the latest OHL players to take advantage of the rule change and has announced his commitment to the University of Vermont for the fall of 2025.

Filak recently celebrated his 21st birthday with the NCAA commitment, joining OHL players Cedrick Guindon, P.J. Forgione, and Jonathan Kapageridis, who will also attend Vermont next season.

London Knights defenseman Andoni Fimis also has a commitment to Vermont but not until the start of the 2026-27 season.

“I believe attending the University of Vermont offers a tremendous opportunity to further my education while pursuing my goal of playing professional hockey,” said Filak as per the OHL.

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The Northville, Michigan native is in his fourth OHL campaign and is an assistant captain for the Sting, helping to lead and show the way for their up-and-coming young stars.

Zach was selected 163rd overall in the ninth round of the 2020 OHL Priority Selection by Sarnia.

There's a strong possibility that he could have gone higher in the draft. Alas, an American playing for the stout junior organization Compuware, the fear of an NCAA — of course before the rule change — commitment would stop him from playing in the OHL.

Related: Peterborough Petes Forwards Commit to NCAA School

Filak is a big-body forward who plays a hardworking and diligent three-zone game. He's not the most highly skilled player but he is more reliable in defensive situations. Additionally, he can play both center and the wing.

He's on pace for a career-high in points and a 50-point season. He's not putting the puck in the back of the net as much as he did last year — 24 goals last season, 11 thus far this season — but he is two assists away from a new career-high in the playmaking department.

He's posted 59 goals and 134 points in 228 regular season OHL games.

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