Austin D’Orazio says family, friendship, and formation are behind the success he achieved in his junior career hockey career. He hopes that will continue into his collegiate career.
The 21-year-old has committed to the University of Utica Pioneers for the 2023-24 season.
D’Orazio says, “Going into the 2022-23 season in Trenton, the focus was about winning, not about where I was going to go to school. When you focus on what is in front of you, the future will take care of itself.”
Thanks to the hard work, the success came on and off the ice. D’Orazio averaged more than a point per game, leading all Golden Hawks in defensive scoring and finishing fourth in the Ontario Junior Hockey League. He was second in goals with the OJHL D ranks with 14. For his success, D’Orazio was named a Second Team All Star.
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“The Trenton Golden Hawks organization provides you with everything you need to succeed. When I arrived here I was welcomed into the fold and I never looked back,” D’Orazio stated. “The organization provides a world-class opportunity and everything you need to succeed.”
D’Orazio and Trenton went 12-1 to finish the regular season and ended up in fourth in the Southeast Conference. From there they would eliminate the stubborn Cobourg Cougars, the high flying number one team in Ontario, the Toronto Jr Canadiens, and their Bay of Quinte rival, the Wellington Dukes.
“What we accomplished was incredible and I would never trade it for the world,” claimed D’Orazio. “The friendships with the players and relationships with the staff, volunteers, fans, and the City of Quinte West will be something I will remember forever.”
“I am excited about what the future holds in Utica. My family and I looked at a few schools, but for us Utica University stood above the rest. I will be studying business.” D’Orazio added, “The Pioneers hockey program gets about 3,000 fans a game. That will be incredible to be able to play in front of.”
In 76 regular season games over two years, D’Orazio notched an impressive 70 points.
