Sulmonte leaves Mercyhurst for OHL

Freshman forward Rudy Sulmonte has left Mercyhurst and signed with the Ontario Hockey League’s Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds.

Sulmonte, an 18-year-old from Woodhaven, N.Y., had not seen any action yet this season for the Lakers due to being academically ineligible.

“He gave it a try, but college just wasn’t for him,” said Mercyhurst
assistant coach Bobby Ferraris. “It was a little overwhelming with
courses and hockey. He decided to pursue hockey only. He’s going to be
a very good hockey player. He’s a great kid and we wish him the best.”

The Greyhounds, meanwhile, are thrilled with their new acquisition.

“We are very happy that Rudy has made the decision to join our team and pursue his dream of pro hockey,” Sault Ste. Marie GM Dave Torrie said in a statement. “It’s the first time in my eight years as general manager we have had a free agent player who was attending an NCAA institution on a full scholarship decide to leave and join our program.”

Sulmonte played last year for the New Jersey Rockets of the Atlantic Junior Hockey League where his 32 goals and 70 points were fourth in league scoring. He also went to the New York Islanders’ summer development camp after not getting drafted in June’s NHL Entry Draft.