The hour-long drive to and from practice three-to-four times per week is a symbol of U16 Niagara North Stars centre Andrew Vermeulen’s dedication to his craft.

And it shows in his play, too, where he helped the North Stars post a 21-1-1 regular season record in the SCTA and positioned himself as a prospect to watch for next month’s Ontario Hockey League draft.

All those drives from Cayuga, a small town roughly 60 kilometres southwest of his team’s home rink in St. Catharines, are adding up to the beginning of quite a journey.

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“I’ve been watching the OHL since a young age,” said Vermeulen, “so I think that is where I plan to go.”

A breakout season with the North Stars, in which his 32 points (14 goals, 18 assists) ranked sixth in the league, helped showcase his abilities. 

He’s benefitted from the move to the Niagara club and the pairing with coach Ryan Berard, whom Vermeulen says “has made me a lot smarter of a player, and he’s improved my shot and stick-handling.”

While this is their first year together, they worked together last year and over the summer and Vermeulen’s work ethic has been a theme.

“I like to be the hardest-working guy on the ice,” he says and it’s put him on a path toward the next level in his hockey career.