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(Posted
9:30 a.m., March 29)
Former Jr. Grad signs Division 1 scholarship with RIT
By Mike Beasley
Orléans Online
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 Cumberland
Jr. Grad product and current Ottawa Jr. Senator
Zach Salloum is heading south of the border
next fall. Photo courtesy of icelevel.com
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Growing
up in Queenswood Heights as a minor hockey player, Zach
Salloum always wondered where the game might take him. As
the seasons went by he often pondered how and where his
hockey journey would play out.
Now
21 years old and in his overage season in the Central
Canada Hockey League (CCHL), the talented defenceman with
the Ottawa Junior Senators knows exactly where he's headed
because of his exceptional hockey skills, incomparable
work ethic and engaging personality.
After
five very productive CCHL seasons, Salloum is headed south
next fall to attend and play for the NCAA Division 1,
Rochester Institute of Technology Tigers in Rochester,
N.Y.
"As
a young kid, I remember playing hockey at the Navan Arena
and watching the Jr. �A' Grads play, thinking that it
would be so cool if I could skate in that league one day,�
said the �cole secondaire Garneau graduate.
"Playing
with my Orleans childhood buddies for the Grads and then
the AAA Eastern Ontario Wild was a truly memorable and
unbelievable experience.�
When
he was 14 years old, the offensive-minded defenceman started
to think that a future in hockey may be in the cards when
the Jr. 'A' Gloucester Rangers (currently Rockland Nationals)
approached him to say that they planned on protecting
him in the upcoming Bantam draft.
Salloum
eventually made the jump to the CCHL and turned it into
five very productive seasons becoming a perennial all-star
along the way.
A
trade midway through the 2014-2015 season from Gloucester
to the Cumberland (now Navan) Grads lead to an increase
in playing time which helped bolster his confidence and
the opportunity to showcase his above average skating
and puck moving skills.
At
18, he was named Grads team captain after displaying leadership
qualities that Salloum gives his parents (Ed and Lyne)
the credit for instilling in him.
"My
father always told me to be a leader and help my teammates
be the best they can be,� Zach explained. "I always took
being a captain seriously and feel that I did a good job
with it.�
In
December 2016, RIT came knocking with an offer to attend
their prestigious university and suit up for the Tigers
which the 5'9�, 175 pound defender gladly accepted.
All
those hours of practice and travel to games, the hard
work in the gym and setbacks from injuries was put into
perspective with a Division 1 commit.
In
his final year of eligibility, Salloum immediately became
a hot commodity amongst the front runners of the league
when it became apparent the Navan Grads were going to
struggle this past season.
The
Ottawa Junior Senators made a pitch for him in December
eventually landing the coveted blue-liner for a slew of
players, cash and future considerations.
"We
(Ottawa) are very happy to have Zach on our blue-line,
he's a great kid and outstanding addition.� stated Marty
Dagenais, Ottawa GM and head coach.
For
now, the junior journey is winding down for Salloum with
another starting in the fall.
(This
story was made possible thanks to the generous support of
our local business partners.)
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THE OTTAWA SCHOOL OF THEATRE presents an all ages production of Treasure Island in the Richcraft Theatre at the Shenkman Arts Centre. Showtimes Thursday, April 18 and Friday, April 19 at 6:30 p.m. and Saturday, April 20 and Sunday, April 21 at 1:30 p.m. Tickets $20 for adults. Students and youth 25 and under $10. To purchase visit 
TAPROOM 260 presents Michael Ben-Shalom live from 8-11 p.m. at 260 Centrum Blvd. For more information visit 
TAPROOM 260 presents The Underground live from 8-11 p.m. at 260 Centrum Blvd. For more information visit 
CLASSIC PIANO RECITAL – Orléans pianist Emily Hou will be performing works by Chopin, Mozart, Rachmaninov and Liszt at Kanata United Church as part os the Beaverbrook Community Concert Series. The recital will start promptly at 3 p.m. Kanata United Church is located at 33 Leacock Dr. in Kanata. For more information visit 
THE ORLÉANS BREWING CO. Trivia Night from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Call (613) 834-9005 to reserve your spot. The Orléans Brewing Co. is located at 4380 Innes Rd. near the Innes Road McDonalds.
