The New Jersey 87's are proud to announce that Trevor Cear has committed to play Division III hockey at UMass Dartmouth for the 2020-21 season.

Cear is a 21-year-old defenseman from Jackson, N.J. and is a three-year veteran of the 87's. He served as the captain for the team's inaugural season in the EHL Premier Division, recording 33 points (9g, 24a) in 40 games. Between the next two seasons in the EHL, Cear put up 58 points (6g, 52a) in 82 games. 

Head coach Adam Houli spoke about Cear's accomplishment. "Trev is fantastic player, he can skate and think the game better then a lot of defenseman. He has been impactful for our team each year and has always drawn a lot of attention from scouts, I think he will be an elite player in school. Off the ice he is one a kind, and will always go the extra mile to make sure it’s done right. I’m so excited to watch him in school," Houli said of Cear.

UMass Dartmouth is a Division III program located in Dartmouth, Mass. Competing in the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference, the Corsairs are led by head coach Erik Noack. Cear spoke about his achievement and what it means to join a program such as UMass Dartmouth.

"The commitment is almost every hockey players' dream and knowing I get to go to school like Umass Dartmouth is special for me. I wouldn't have been able to do any of this if it wasn't for Matty (Kiernan) and (Adam) Houls," Cear said. "They taught me so much as a player on and off the ice, I owe everything to them, my family and my teammates."

Cear is among a handful of players that have played in the 87's first three seasons of operation. On top of being captain for the Premier team's inaugural year, he served as an alternate captain for the EHL team's first two seasons. He spoke about his development within the organization, and credited the coaching staff for putting together a competitive team from day one.

"I'd be lying to everyone if I said these two weren't the best coaches in the league. Coming here three years ago I truly did not know what to expect when I came to the 87's. After the first year I knew this is where I wanted to be, I knew the 87's was my home. Each time I put on that jersey I knew it was special because after all the things Matty and Houli did for us, we knew all we had to do was play the 87 way and win. What we did with our groups, from the first-year team to the first-year EHL team, and what we did with the core of our team for those three seasons was special. We will remember 87 way forever."

The 87's would like to congratulate Trevor and his family as he continues his hockey career to the Division III collegiate level at UMass Dartmouth.