Sophomore defenseman Joe Grimaldi has left the UNO Mavericks in order to play major junior hockey for the Ottawa 67s in the Ontario Hockey League, UNO coach Mike Kemp announced today.
Grimaldi, a native of Long Island, N.Y., had no goals and four assists and 51 penalty minutes in 19 games this season for the Mavericks. He played in 38 games and recorded four goals and 17 assists with 44 penalty minutes last season as a freshman.
Grimaldi, who is 19, will be able to play the rest of this season for Ottawa and possibly next season as an over-aged junior if not taken in the National Hockey League draft.
“We are disappointed to lose a player of his caliber,” Kemp said. “However, we wish him the best as he follows his dream to play in the NHL.”
