NCDC LEADING SCORER FEATURED

By Alexis Demopoulos

A two-year veteran of the Utah Outliers, forward Garrett Joss was thrilled to announce his NCAA Division III commitment to Gustavus Adolphus College for the 2025-26 season.

Joss, a native of Whitby, Ontario, has had the most positive experience playing for the Outliers for the past two seasons. Joss signed with the Outliers at the beginning of the 2023-24 season and in 53 games played, he had 61 points (19 goals, 42 assists). It was a no-brainer for him to return for the 2024-25 season. Joss had another fantastic year this season. In 48 games played, he tallied 54 points (37 goals, 17 assists). His 37 goals led all of the NCDC and were the third-most goals scored in a single season in the league’s eight-year history. With 115 points in 106 games, he is also the Outliers’ NCDC team’s all-time leading scorer.

“The Outliers have been a life changer for me,” said Joss. “Last year, I not only became a better player but more a person that I didn’t think I would be at this age. I was looking to play elsewhere my age out season but after long talks with my family, it was only right I went back to Utah. I still don’t know where I’d be if I didn’t come back, but I don’t think I would have been able to have the success and interest from schools that I had this year anywhere else.

“Being a part of the Outliers is definitely hard and not for the normal hockey player, but I can guarantee you that you will become better in all aspects of your life.”

Joss was actually in talks with Gustavus Adolphus head coach Tyler Walsh’s brother who coaches at another school but that didn’t work out. Shortly after, it was Tyler that reached out to Joss about playing at Gustavus Adolphus and everything took off from there.

Joss said the coaching staff loved his “compete level and scoring ability.”

Joss was looking for a school where he could thrive academically and play competitive hockey and after doing some research, Gustavus Adolphus was checking all his boxes.

“When I first heard from Coach Walsh, I was super excited,” said Joss. “I had done a little bit of research on Gustavus prior to our first conversation, and on the hockey side I was super impressed that they were top in the MIAC. Another thing that caught my attention was their rink and their facilities. They are like none other and when I heard they pull a good attendance I was in love. On the academic side of things, I have been looking for a school that has an alumni presence and Gustavus has just that. They are such a well-rounded academic school and adding the involvement of the alumni was huge for me.”

Joss has not yet visited the campus and most likely won’t until he moves in this upcoming fall, but he is very eager to see it.

“I’m going off everything Coach Walsh and Coach Ethan Schwartz have presented to me,” said Joss. “I really trust what they have told me and I think I’m going to be amazed once I get to see the campus for the first time.”

Joss is going to work hard this off-season so he will be ready for the college level come this fall. He will also be busy instructing at the hockey school he is starting in southern Ontario called Sauce Hockey.

“This summer I’m going to be in the gym continuing to get bigger and stronger,” said Joss. “I will be speaking to Coach Walsh about what he wants me to improve on, so I will be skating a ton this summer and focusing on shooting, skating, and whatever the coaches need me to work on. I’m super excited to start my journey at Gustavus and I am beyond grateful to get an opportunity like this.”

The NCDC congratulates Garrett Joss, his family, the Utah Outliers and Gustavus Adolphus College for his commitment.