Caledon native Brendan Jacome wins pretigious Randy Gregg Award

Written By ROBERT BELARDI

There is a famous saying - expect the unexpected. But, what if you don't? What if you don't even know what to expect?   

Caledon native Brendan Jacome recently won the prestigious Randy Gregg award on March 6th, representing the Ontario University Athletic's East Division in hockey with the University of Ottawa. 

“To be honest, I wasn't even aware of the award before this year,” the Gee-Gees forward said. 

“Obviously when I found out I won it I was doing a lot more research into it. You know, it's quite an honour. 

To win this award, a player must be recognized in their academic scores, community service and on ice play. 

The three-time academic all Canadian has maintained a GPA of 8.5 over the course of this year in his Bachelor's of Commerce and Finance program and ranks third amongst the team with 22 points on the season. 

He has been contributing with the community, supporting Hockey Gives Blood, Do It For Daron in the mental health community and Pride Night activities. 

Most recently, Jacome raised $7,500 throughout his Movember campaign in support of third-year defenceman Jean Robin Mantha. Mantha was diagnosed with testicular cancer in his second year and has made a full recovery. 

With an outstanding track record, there was no surprise to see Jacome take home the Randy Gregg award for all of his efforts, in his graduating year. He is now in the running for the national USports, Randy Gregg Award to be announced at a later date. 

“As proud parents, we are really proud. He's just a hard-worker, in all aspects. In fact, in hockey, school and the community. We're just super proud of him,” said his mother, Angela Jacome. 

Jacome has returned back home safely, to Caledon this past week, following the cancellation of the U Sports University Cup due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The University of Ottawa won the East division before taking on Guelph in the OUA Queen's Cup Finals. The Gee-Gee's fell to the Gryphons, falling in triple-overtime 2-1. 

As his time is coming to an end at the University this year, Jacome shared some of the best memories he has experienced over the course of his four-year tenure.  

“I think one of them is, definitely our team trip to Germany at the beginning of the year. We went over in August, we went to Germany and played some exhibition games against a couple of pro teams,” Jacome said. 

He says that roughly 18 players have been there since freshman year. 

“Just being with the same group of guys for four years, we made some incredible memories together just doing, bowling on a week night. Any little thing, I've made friends that will last me a lifetime.” 

Jacome grew up playing with the Caledon Hawks and idolized players that wore the iconic number 19 jersey. Joe Sakic, Joe Thornton and Steve Yzerman were players Jacome looked up to during his young hockey career. 

After juggling between the Halton Hurricanes and the Brampton hockey association, Jacome landed with the Georgetown Raiders Junior A team. In the 2015-2016 season, Jacome along with his brother Jack, dominated team statistics. 

Jacome says the coach placed himself and his brother on the same line midway through the year and two began lighting up the stat sheet. 

He went on to say, that playing with Jack; who is now on a scholarship at Clarkson University in New York, is something you can say down the road when looking back at your hockey career. 

Although the Gee-Gee's did not bring home the big trophy, Brendan Jacome walks away a champion on and off the ice and sets a precedent in the hockey program for years to come.