Mentor Teen Headed to Ontario Hockey League

A Mentor High School student is headed to the Ontario Hockey League for an opportunity that he believes will lead him to the NHL.

Nick Magyar confirmed that he has signed a contract with the Kitchener Rangers of the Ontario Hockey League. Kitchener drafted Magyar two years ago, and he admitted that he had been putting the team off because he had a scholarship to play at The Ohio State University. Everything changed when Nick and his family went to Canada for a visit.

"It was hard at first, throwing away a full scholarship at OSU," the 17-year-old said, "but in this league I'm going to be playing in is the best league for amateurs in the world.

"It's the fastest and best route to get to the NHL."

Nick, a forward, will be eligible for the 2014 NHL Draft. He'll continue taking online classes offered by Mentor Schools to make sure he's on track to graduate from Mentor High School in June 2014. He said his only stipulation is that he must physically return to Mentor to take midterm and final tests.

"I'm gonna be able to come back and graduate with all my friends," he said.

Learning on the web is nothing new for Nick. He played for the Sioux City Musketeers last year. When he relocates Aug. 28, he believes his family will handle the transition much better this time around.

"She's been better this time," he said of his mother, Joelle. "She knew I'd be gone no matter what. Kitchener is only four hours away, so it'll be a lot closer."

He said his friends in Mentor are also determined to travel to some of the six games he'll play in Erie, Pa. this year.

As Nick prepares to play against 16 to 20-year-olds in Canada, he credits his parents and childhood coach Giorgi Fedulov for developing him as a hockey player capable of competing in a top amateur league. 

"It's been my dream all along to play in the NHL," he said. "To get this opportunity to play in (the Ontario Hockey League) is just amazing and I couldn't turn it down."