By Jake Howorth, North York Rangers Communications and Digital Director. Image from OJHL Images.
Former North York Rangers goalie Jett Alexander officially committed to play for the University of Toronto. He will play for the Varsity Blues this upcoming fall in USPORTS.
“It was a decision I had been weighing for a while now and felt I had taken enough time and done my homework about where I want to spend my next four years both academically and in hockey,” said Alexander.
This marks the third straight season a Ranger has picked the University of Toronto as their next step after Junior A hockey. Former teammates Ross Krieger experienced his rookie campaign with the club, while former captain Kyle Clarke completed his second season.
The goalie picked the University of Toronto because he believes it will help him achieve his goals on and off the ice.
“Obviously the schooling is second to none and the program is really growing into a top-end program. I think Ryan Medel is great and has been very transparent with me throughout the whole recruitment process.”
Alexander spent his final season of junior hockey with Prince George Spruce Kings in the BCHL. He posted a 13-19 record with a 3.14 goals-against average and a .894 save percentage. He ranked in the top five in the league in shots faced at 1058, but despite that he helped a rebuilding Spruce Kings squad earn a playoff berth.
The 20-year-old truly made a name for himself during his time with the Rangers the two and a half seasons prior. Last season, he led the OJHL with 30 wins, a 1.67 goals-against average, .945 save percentage and an OJHL league record 10 shutouts in 43 games. The Bloomfield, Ont., native was the backbone for North York as they posted a franchise-best 37 wins and a South Division title. Thanks to his efforts, Alexander received numerous awards such as the OJHL’s Most Valuable Player, OJHL Goaltender of the Year, CJHL Goaltender of the Year, OHA’s Junior A Player of the Year and an OJHL First Team All-Star. The 6’5, 195-pound goalie was also a finalist for the CJHL MVP as well.
Alexander was one of the best goalies in the franchise’s history. His career numbers stand at 53-25 record with a 1.88 GAA and .933 SV%. during his time. At one point, the goalie was named to the CJHL Top Prospects game with fellow teammates Jesse Tucker, Harrison Rees and Peter Muzyka in 2018. He displayed his potential very early in his junior career as he was a 2016-2017 first team all-prospect.
Before even joining the Rangers Junior A club on a full-time basis, Alexander spent two seasons in the team’s farm system. The experienced was highlighted in the 2015-2016 season when he was a member of the Rangers’ GTHL team that captured the Telus Cup Gold Medal. He even played two games with the top club as an AP call up as well. The following season in 2016, Alexander started the season with the Georgetown Raiders, but it did not take long for him to find his way back to NYR. The team acquired him and Ross Krieger via a trade in October. Alexander went on to be named to the OJHL First Team All-Prospect after putting up a 13-6 record with a 2.13 goals-against average and a .914 SV% that season.
Alexander is now the 28th North York player to commit to either the.NCAA or U SPORTS since 2016.
