Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League

Directwest Commitment: Hounds’ Sych commits to D1 Mercyhurst

Notre Dame Hounds’ defenceman Jaryd Sych has officially announced his commitment to continue his hockey and academic career with the Mercyhurst University Lakers for the 2023-2024 season.

Mercyhurst University, based in Erie, P.A., plays in Atlantic Hockey at the NCAA Division I level.

Sych, who turns 19 on Feb. 10, has been among the defencemen leaders in scoring in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League all season, at the time of writing has 23 points in 40 games.

“I’m honoured and beyond excited to announce my commitment to play hockey for Mercyhurst University,” Sych said.

“I want to thank my family for their endless support, and my friends and teammates for pushing me to be my best. To ND, Brett, and my past coaches, thank you for preparing me for the next level.”

A native of Airdrie, AB, Sych and his family moved to Riceton, SK upon his enrolment into the Athol Murray College of Notre Dame in 2017, and he has been an integral part of the college since then, both on and off the ice.

Sych has previously played for the Notre Dame Hounds U15s, U18 AAs, and Argos AAAs, and has played big minutes for the Hounds Junior A since joining the club for the shortened 2020-2021 campaign.

He becomes the second Hound to commit this week, as goaltender Ryley Osland announced his intentions to play for the Concordia University of Edmonton Thursday, and is the third Division I commit on the team this year thus far.