The Ontario Tech Ridgebacks have announced that Yarmouth Mariners defenseman Ben Roode has committed to their program for 2023-24. The 21-year-old from Dartmouth, N.S. was selected by the Mariners in the sixth round, 93rd overall, in the 2019 MHL Entry Draft. He spent three seasons in the Maritime Junior Hockey League, tallying 91 points in 113 games for Yarmouth in the regular season. Roode also has one goal and seven assists in eleven post-season games entering the Metalfab MHL Cup Playoffs this season.
Roode had two goals and thirteen assists in 23 games in 2020-21 to tie for ninth in scoring among defensemen. During the abbreviated Canadian Tire Cup Playoff Round Robin, he collected one goal and four assists in five games for Yarmouth. He was named to the Eastlink South’s Team of the week once during the season.
In his second season in the MHL, Roode led all defensemen in scoring with 35 points. His 30 assists were also first among blueliners to go with his five goals. He made his mark on the Mariners’ powerplay as well, racking up thirteen assists on the man advantage which was fourth-most overall. Roode finished the campaign as an All-Star in the Eastlink South. he was named the league’s Top Defenseman in December 2021 and February 2022, and was named to the Eastlink South Team of the week three times. During the Canadian Tire Cup Playoffs, Roode had three assists in six games for Yarmouth.
In 2022-23, Roode took on an even bigger role with the Mariners, serving as co-captain. He finished fifth in defenseman scoring with 41 points after tallying eleven goals and 30 assists. Roode also had five game-winning goals to lead all defensemen, including three consecutive overtime winners. He was once again selected as an All-Star in the Eastlink South. Roode was named an Honourable Mention for Top Defenseman in both November and December 2022. He was named to the Eastlink South’s Team of the Week five times.
The MHL congratulates Roode on his post-secondary commitment.