"Brandon represents Whaler Nation’s day one commitment to our membership and the Hampton Roads Region", stated Whalers GM Patrick Cavanagh. "He started as a mite player and has played and trained as a Whaler all the way through his career to date. He would skate with me each and every day of the offseason for as far back as I can remember. Many people told us that we could not develop players who would play at these levels in Hampton Roads at Chilled Ponds, Like others before him, Brandon has proved otherwise and I expect additional future athletic/ scholastic in his future."

The Hampton Roads Jr. Whalers are proud to announce that 1998 forward and homegrown product Brandon Osmundson from Chesapeake, VA has committed to playing NCAA hockey in 2019 for the Utica College Pioneers after a strong showing this past weekend at the USPHL Chicago Showcase.  Osmundson has also earned a call up to the Odessa Jackalopes of the NAHL and will make his debut tonight against Topeka.

Osmundson, has posted 5 assists in 4 games this season with the Whalers.  He burst on to the scene last season with the Whalers, earning 35 goals and 77 assists for 112 points with 45 penalty minutes, 8 power play goals and 2 shorthanded goals through 55 games. The Chesapeake, Va., native earned the USPHL Elite scoring title while also leading the league in assists and picking up 28 power play points. He’s also a two-time USPHL Elite Star of the Week on September 26 and January 9. Osmundson developed through the Whalers system, earning 42 goals and 78 assists for 120 points with 72 penalty minutes through 93 games with the USP3 team the prior 2 season’s while also finishing the season leading the league in assists.  The homegrown product has tallied 78 goals and 160 assists for 238 points in 153 career junior games with the Whalers.

“Brandon is one of the hardest working players I have had the pleasure to coach”, stated Head Coach Rod Taylor.  “He is a very gifted skater with great speed and agility.  He is very strong on his skates and makes it very hard for opponents to knock him off the puck.  He is a natural play maker as well as a solid finisher.  His two-way play makes him a threat on the both ends of the ice and his compete level is second to none.  Brandon will make an impact with the Utica program immediately.  I wish him all the best.”

"UC has enjoyed our last 3 years on the ice”, stated Pioneer Head Coach Gary Heenan. “During this time we have always had a Whaler on the ice. To commit our 3rd whaler in the last month is very exciting. Brandon Osmundson is an elite skater with tremendous vision and poise with the puck. We like him now and know that with two more years of junior experience he will be an impact player in the Pioneer uniform."

“I would like to say thank you to the whole Whaler organization for giving me this opportunity to play college hockey”, stated Osmundson.  “The Whalers organization strives off of sending players to the collegiate level and that has allowed me to get the training and exposure I need to move on. Without Patrick Cavanagh, this opportunity would never happen. He has helped me become the player I am today on the ice. Countless hours of training with him has boosted my game in so many different ways since I was young. Coach Rod Taylor has also been a tremendous asset to me by teaching me so many different aspects of the game that he learned while playing Division 1 and pro.  Coach Brad Jones has always been there for me since I was a mite though my junior career. He has mentored me like a little brother and has made sure I was ready for any obstacle in my way. Coach Kody Rodriguez has been a blessing to the organization since joining the coaching staff. After practices he was always out there helping any players that needed extra help and has brought so many different skill attributes that I use in every single game. Power Skating coach Suzie Hewitt has trained me since i was 11 years old.  Without her help, I wouldn’t be the skater I am today. She has helped me become a great skater on the ice and there’s no other coach out there like her. I could go on and on about how many great things the Whaler organization has provided for me. This is by far the best junior program out there and I can’t wait to start the next chapter in my career, playing for the Utica Pioneers.”

Utica College is located in Utica, NY and competes in the NCAA United Collegiate Hockey Conference (UCHC).

Osmundson becomes the Whalers 3rd commit of the 2017-18 season joining Sean Dickson (Utica) and John Moncovich (Uitca). He will join former Whalers Alex Brissette, Jacob Gerson, and Vaden McManus as Utica commits.