Varga, Tooke ready to join college hockey rosters

By Jake Courtepatte

Chalk up another pair of ex-Tigers for the college hockey circuits.

Both forward Jack Varga and defenseman Noah Tooke committed to play collegiate hockey in North America next season, with Varga heading to the NCAA to join the Northland College Lumberjacks, while Tooke will join the U Sports' Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks.

The two new additions bring the Tigers' 2019 season commitment totals to the second highest number for the organization since 2015, which includes 2017-18 players Chris Giroday, Anthony Romano, and Kyle Bollers, as well as Joseph Mizzi, who recently joined the Utah Grizzlies of the ECHL.

One of the smaller players on the ice throughout the OJHL season, Varga proved his worth with his tenacity and fearlessness.

“Congratulations Jack,” the Tigers tweeted. “(You're) one of the best character players in the history of our organization, you have the heart of a champion.”

After three years with the Stouffville Spirit, Varga enjoyed a successful stint with the Tigers this past season in posting thirteen goals and sixteen assists in 47 games. The Sharon, ON native is a product of the York-Simcoe Express system, and will join the NCAA DIII program in Wisconsin.

Tooke, who served as a reserve in his one season with the Tigers in 2018-19, joins fellow ex-Tigers James Thomson and Steven MacLean, who just announced his commitment for his freshman season last week.