From the OHL to NCAA Division I: Owen Pitters' Journey to Northern Michigan University

There isn't just one path to NCAA Division I hockey.

Some players stay in the same league for years. Others have to earn every opportunity by continuing to prove themselves at each stop along the way. That was the case for Owen Pitters.

Originally from Chesterfield, Michigan, Pitters was selected by the Flint Firebirds in the fourth round (72nd overall) of the 2021 OHL Priority Selection. Playing in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) gave him an early taste of major junior hockey and the level of competition it takes to succeed.

As his career continued, Pitters wasn't afraid to take a different route. He moved to the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League (GOJHL), where he earned more opportunities, continued to build confidence, and developed into a more complete player. From there, he joined the Idaho Falls Spud Kings in the National Collegiate Development Conference (NCDC). His offensive game took another step forward, as he recorded 13 goals and 18 points in 20 games. More importantly, he showed he could consistently make an impact and continued putting himself on the radar of higher levels. That season helped earn him an opportunity with the Aberdeen Wings of the North American Hockey League (NAHL) after being selected in the 2024 NAHL Entry Draft. Once he arrived in Aberdeen, his game continued to grow.

Pitters posted 22 points in 34 games during his first season before taking another big step the following year. As captain of the Wings, he finished the 2025-26 season with 24 goals and 30 assists for 54 points in 55 games, becoming one of the team's offensive leaders while setting the standard every day.

The "C" on his jersey wasn't given to him because of his points. It was earned through his work ethic, leadership, and the respect he built inside the locker room. All of those experiences from the OHL to the GOJHL, the NCDC, and the NAHL helped prepare him for the next chapter of his career.

That chapter is NCAA Division I hockey at Northern Michigan University.

Owen's story is a great reminder that development isn't always a straight line. Every player has a different journey, and every league can play a role in helping someone reach their goals if they're willing to keep improving. For Pitters, every stop along the way mattered. Each challenge made him a better player. Each opportunity opened the door to the next.

And now, after years of hard work and steady development, he'll continue his hockey career at Northern Michigan University proof that there are many different paths to Division I hockey.