The Valley Wildcats have announced that forward Josh Crooks has committed to Buffalo State, an NCAA Division III school, for 2023-24.
The 20-year-old from Cole Harbour, N.S. was drafted in the 5th Round, 80th overall, by the Campbellton Tigers in the 2018 MHL Entry Draft. In his rookie season of 2019-20, Crooks registered six goals and ten assists in 35 games for the Tigers. In 2020-21, Crooks had four goals and three assists in 22 games, with two goals and an assist in nine playoff games.
After being acquired by the Truro Bearcats in August 2021, he was traded again the same day to the Valley Wildcats. In 32 games in 2021-22, Crooks had eight goals and nine assists for the Wildcats. During his final season, Crooks finished fifth in team scoring with 40 points as he had seventeen goals and 23 assists in 51 games for Valley. Crooks was named to the Eastlink South Team of the Week once during the season. In the playoffs, he had one assist in six games.
The MHL congratulates Crooks on his post-secondary commitment.