OSHAWA, Ont. – University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) men's hockey head coach Curtis Hodgins officially welcomed Matthieu Gomercic of the Humboldt Broncos to the Ridgebacks program on Tuesday morning.
 
The 20-year-old comes to Oshawa from Winnipeg, Man., but spent the last two seasons playing in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) for the Humboldt Broncos.
 
Joining Bryce Fiske, Gomercic is the second member of the Saskatchewan-based hockey club to join the Ridgebacks recruiting class leading into the 2018-19 Ontario University Athletics (OUA) season. Both players were involved in the tragic bus crash in April en route to their playoff game against the Nipawin Hawks.
 
"We are very excited to add Matthieu to our program," said Hodgins. "He is a versatile forward who can play all three forward positions if needed and can chip in with some offence as well. He has a big frame, protects pucks well and plays a complete game, which will fit in nicely with our program."
 
The 6'3 forward spent 83 games with the Steinbach Pistons over two seasons prior to joining the Broncos. In Steinbach, he had 15 goals and 30 points.
 
In Humboldt, Gomercic picked up 47 points over a span of 96 regular season games. In addition to helping the offence, he isn't afraid to use his size to his advantage, as he racked up 89 penalty minutes over that time.
 
"I'm very excited to join the Ridgebacks this upcoming season," said Gomeric. "Playing university hockey is a goal that I set for myself and UOIT is now giving me the opportunity to fulfill both my hockey and academic goals."
 
Gomercic joins the 2018-19 recruiting class of Fiske, Brett Harasymuk, Michael Bullion, Leif Hertz, JC Thivierge, Jake Bricknell and Austin Eastman.
 
Hodgins is expected to finalize his recruiting for the upcoming season in the next week as the Ridgebacks turn their attention to training camp, which will take place in September.