Photo Credit: Garrett James Photography
The Merritt Centennials are proud to announce that forward Bradley Cocca has committed to Brown University for the 2019-20 season.
A native of Mississauga, Ontario, Cocca is having a banner year for himself in the junior hockey ranks. He’s played in the OJHL and the USHL, but really started to find success when he came to the Merritt Centennials. Already in his 4th year of junior hockey, Cocca is currently 3rd in BCHL scoring with 15 goals and 30 assists in 34 games which nearly doubles last years total of 23 points in 44 games played.
Already earning a commitment from Harvard for stellar play in Minor Midget Triple A with the Don Mills Flyers, Cocca elected to switch to Brown siting a better fit personally.
“After talking it over with my family, we felt that Brown was the better fit overall. The education was a big factor too, I know I won’t play hockey for the rest of my life so I wanted to go somewhere that I’d get the best education possible.”
He adds that the staff at Brown has a soft spot for small, skilled forwards.
“Both the assistant coaches at Brown were smaller college hockey players, so I think they saw a bit of themselves in me.”
Assistant Coach Brandon Shaw says that any program would be lucky to have Cocca because of the work he puts in academically and on the ice.
“Brad’s a competitor, he comes to practice everyday and competes, he shows up for games, and he wants to be a difference maker every single night.”
The Centennials still have 9 players committed to NCAA Div. 1 hockey for next season – a club record.
