The Steinbach Pistons are excited to announce that forward Drew Worrad (’97) has committed to the Western Michigan University Broncos of NCAA Division I.
With his commitment, Worrad becomes the 9th Pistons player to commit to a Division I school in the last six years. Worrad also joins current teammates Darby Gula (Bemidji St.), and Matthew Thiessen (Maine) as players who have committed to NCAA Division I programs this year. Worrad joins fellow Piston Riese Gaber as players who have committed to WMU. This is the first time ever in franchise history that three players from the Pistons have committed to Division I programs in one season.
“I am very pleased to see Drew earn the commitment to Western Michigan,” Head Coach and General Manager Paul Dyck said. “I feel he is extremely deserving of it. Drew makes players around him better. He has tremendous vision, great hands, and has the ability to make plays in traffic and under pressure.”
Worrad was acquired by the Pistons this past off-season after spending 4 years playing junior A hockey in Ontario. He is making an impact in his first season in Steinbach, scoring 40 points (14 G, 26 A) in 26 games this season.
The 20-year-old from Birr, Ontario explained that he kept in close contact with scouts from the campus, and it accelerated when Western Michigan Head Coach Andy Murray, formerly a head coach with the Los Angeles Kings and the St. Louis Blues, came out to watch the MJHL Showcase last week. “On Monday night, they called saying they were presenting an offer. It didn’t take until the next morning before (the offer) was accepted,” he said.
“I made it pretty clear (with my parents) that Western Michigan was where I wanted to be,” Worrad continued. “They have an incredible track record, and one of the best coaching staffs you can find anywhere. (WMU) also has a great business school, which is what I’m hoping to study.”
Although he has spent most of his junior A career in Ontario with the London Nationals and the Oakville Blades, Worrad calls the Pistons a first-class organization and quickly credits his head coach for helping out wherever he can “All of the staff here are just helping everybody out every step of the way,” he said. “Paul’s coaching a team, but he’s also helping players get to the next level. I can’t thank him and the rest of the staff enough for putting in the time they did to make sure that I was getting every opportunity to get looked at.”