The Amherst Ramblers have announced a trio of players have made commitments to U SPORTS teams for 2020-21. Robbie Burt is heading to the University of Windsor Lancers, while Cole Waugh and Caleb Rich are off to the Wilfrid Laurier University Golden Hawks.
Robbie Burt played one season in Amherst. The 20-year-old from Hillsburgh, Ontario spent two seasons in the OHL before two more seasons with the Saint John Sea Dogs of the QMJHL. In 2019-20, Burt was second on the Ramblers with 28 goals. His 40 points were fifth most on the team.
University of Windsor Lancers head coach Kevin Hamlin says, ” We are extremely pleased to add Robbie to our roster. Our goal is to develop champions on the way to winning championships and I feel Robbie will fit in well. His skills are “next level” and I am looking forward to his development throughout his time here.”
“We’re very happy for Robbie,” says Amherst head coach Doug Doull. “I feel Robbie will be an impact player for Windsor U. Our program was thrilled he chose the Ramblers in July as a development platform to pursue a post-secondary degree and U SPORTS opportunity.”
Caleb Rich and Cole Waugh were teammates for three seasons in Amherst. Doull says, “They will get another chance to be together for four more year and provide the Hawks the chemistry they’re know for. It’s a credit to our program when these boys can realize a goal of obtaining a post-secondary degree and U SPORTS opportunity.”
Golden Hawks head coach Greg Puhalski says, “We are thrilled to have Caleb and Cole join our Laurier program. They both come highly recommended by coach Doull and will be a great fit for our team.”
Rich, a 20-year-old from Callander, Ontario, led the Ramblers in scoring 2019-20 and finished sixth overall in league scoring. He was acquired September 12th, 2017 in a trade with French River Rapids of the NOJHL. In his first season in the Maritime Junior Hockey League (MHL), Rich had seven goals and 14 assists in 49 games as Amherst finished third in the Eastlink South in 2017-18. He would add two goals in a seven-game, first round loss to South Shore. In 2018-19, Rich had 22 goals and 32 assists to lead the Ramblers in scoring. He scored three goals and added three assists in another seven-game, first round playoff loss to South Shore. He was also named the Gongshow 2nd Star of the Month in January 2019.
Waugh, a 20-year-old from Riverview, N.B., was a territorial draft selection of the Ramblers in the 2016 MHL Entry Draft. After playing two regular season games and four playoff games with the team in 2016-17, he joined Amherst full-time in 2017-18. He scored six goals and added ten assists in his first MHL season, with an assist in the playoffs. In 2018-19, Waugh finished fourth in team scoring and his goal-scoring prowess took a leap forward with 22 goals to go with 26 assists. Waugh tallied two goals and three assists in the playoffs. He finished second to Rich in team scoring in 2019-20, with a team-high 32 goals to go with 32 assists. His goal total was the seventh most in the MHL.
The Maritime Junior Hockey League congratulates all three players on their MHL careers and post-secondary commitments.