Goaltending prospect Hagan Bach, whose OHL rights are held by the Barrie Colts, has announced an NCAA commitment to the Cornell Big Red, a decision that will reverberate through the Colts’ crease plans over the next few seasons.
Local implications for Barrie’s netminding group
Bach, 17, a native of Niskayuna, New York, is expected to join Cornell for the 2028-29 season. He was selected by Barrie in the fourth round, 82nd overall, of the 2025 OHL Priority Selection and brings a background of American prep and junior experience.
Last season Bach spent the bulk of his time in Ontario with the Collingwood Blues of the OJHL, appearing in 16 games and posting a 12-4-0 record with a 2.25 goals-against average and a .915 save percentage. He also made a single appearance with the Colts organization during the campaign.
"Goaltender Hagan Bach has announced his NCAA hockey commitment to the Cornell Big Red."
The commitment adds clarity to Bach’s development path while creating questions for Barrie’s immediate goaltending rotation. With former Colts starter Ben Hrebik moving on to the NCAA this upcoming season with Providence College, the team will need to finalise its tandem in net ahead of training camp.
- Arvin Jaswal is expected to remain in the mix as a principal option following his stint as Hrebik’s backup.
- Hagan Bach remains a potential secondary option for the Colts next season, though his NCAA commitment means he has a defined long-term destination.
- Matvei Nikonovich, the Penguins fifth-round pick in 2026, holds import status and is on Barrie’s rights list but has not signed with the club.
- 2007-born Barrie native Nico Armellin is another candidate whose chances may have changed after the club’s recent purchase by John Careri, owner of the Toronto Patriots.
Where Bach comes from and what he’s shown
Before moving to Ontario, Bach developed in the United States hockey system, including time at the well-known Shattuck-St. Mary’s program in Minnesota, a school with a deep reputation for producing collegiate and professional players. His USHL rights are owned by the Omaha Lancers, who selected him 57th in the 2025 USHL Futures Draft.
Bach’s junior numbers in the OJHL suggest he can handle a starter’s workload at that level, but a jump to the OHL — and the degree to which he would commit to the Colts if he pursues that route before heading to the NCAA — remain open questions. The timeline of his commitment to Cornell indicates he is planning on spending time in development leagues before matriculating to the Ivy League program.
Decisions ahead for the Colts
For Barrie, the coming months will be about filling the gap left by Hrebik, assessing whether import and local prospects will sign with the club, and whether existing backups can carry increased responsibility. The recent change in ownership to John Careri, who also owns the Toronto Patriots, adds another local dimension: one of the Colts’ potential goaltending candidates, Nico Armellin, spent last season with Careri’s club and is a native of Barrie.
| Player | Status / Note |
|---|---|
| Hagan Bach | Committed to Cornell (NCAA) for 2028-29; Colts drafted him in 2025 |
| Arvin Jaswal | Expected in backup/starting mix for Barrie next season |
| Matvei Nikonovich | Import with Barrie rights; not yet signed |
| Nico Armellin | Barrie native; chance at roster spot may have improved after ownership change |
The Colts’ management will need to weigh prospects’ ambitions for NCAA eligibility against the value of immediate OHL contributions. For fans in Barrie, the unfolding decisions will determine whether the club leans on homegrown and signed players or pursues imports to stabilise the crease.
As the OHL off-season progresses, Barrie supporters should expect further updates regarding signings and the final make-up of the goaltending tandem ahead of next season’s training camp.
