The Ontario Tech University Ridgebacks have announced that Chaleur Lightning defenseman Cohen McCallum has committed to their program for 2026-27.
The 20-year-old from Rothesay, N.B. was drafted in the 4th round, 63rd overall, by the Edmundston Blizzard in the 2021 MHL Entry Draft. He spent most of the 2021-22 season with the Rothesay Netherwood School, but did appear in two games for Edmundston. After a full year at the school the following season, McCallum joined the Blizzard at the trade deadline in the 2023-24 season from the Hawkesbury Hawks of the CCHL. He had two assists in fourteen games for Edmundston, with one assist in seven playoff games.
McCallum was traded by the Blizzard to the Amherst Ramblers ahead of the 2024-25 season, where he had two goals and fifteen assists in 45 games with the Ramblers. McCallum added an assist in five playoff games for Amherst.
He was then dealt to Chaleur in August 2025. McCallum led all defensemen for the Lightning with 32 assists and 39 points in 46 games to go with his seven goals. In the Metalfab MHL Cup Playoffs, McCallum had one goal and eight assists for Chaleur. He was named an Honourable Mention for the MHL’s Top Defenseman award in both October and February/March, and was named to the Eastlink North team of the Week five times.
The MHL congratulates McCallum on his post-secondary commitment.