Cambrian Golden Shield basketball stand out Mitch Mallette has made the decision to make the trek across town to play for the Laurentian Voyageurs men?s basketball team and attend Laurentian University as a social work student starting this fall.
A native of Sudbury, Mallette is a two-time OCAA first-team all-star, having led the Golden Shield in scoring with 358 points (19.9 points-per-game (PPG)) in 2006-07 and 407 points (20.4 PPG) in 2007-08. Mallette finished the 2006-07 OCAA season in sixth spot on the scoring list and in 2007-08 he finished the season in the third spot.
He was also named the Cambrian College Male Athlete of the Year last season and will be a front-runner for the award again this year. Mallette's success is not limited to on the court; the five-foot-nine point guard has proven he is also a dedicated student, currently completing his diploma in the child and youth worker program from Cambrian College this spring. 
While in high school, Mallette was part of SDSSAA and NOSSA championships with the powerhouse Lasalle Lancers.
Mallette's addition to the Voyageurs will add a wealth of experience at the college level, a contagious strong work ethic and drive to succeed, as well as a great deal of passion and respect for the game of basketball. He is also known for his great leadership abilities.
"I'm looking forward to having Mitch become a Laurentian Voyageur," said Voyageurs head coach Shawn Swords in a press release. "I've known Mitch since his playing days at Lasalle and he has always been a hard worker and a player who was eager to listen and learn new things and has stepped up his game every year. Mitch will finish his college career at Cambrian as a two time OCAA first-team all-star is a true testament to his desire to excel and be the best basketball player he can be."
Mallette admitted that playing for the Laurentian Voyageurs has been a long time dream of his, which began to become reality as he continued to improve his skills and abilities on the court and decided to further pursue his education at the university level.
"When I was younger and attended the LU games I used to idolize Jimmy Jefferson and picture myself playing for the Vees," said Mallette. "As I continued to improve it started to become realistic and when I decided I wanted to take social work it only made sense to try and play ball. Knowing that players like Brad and Norm Hann have been all-Canadians and excelled playing for Laurentian makes me proud thinking I will be a part of the tradition that they have helped build. I want to play in front of a packed crowd and try and put LU basketball back on the map."
Mallette is exited to make the next step in his basketball and academic careers. Both will begin in September when he starts his final two years of eligibility wearing the Laurentian blue and gold, while enrolling in the second year of the social work program.
"I am excited to see how I adjust ato playing at the next level and to play CIS teams that I have watched in the last several years dominate the league."
