Ontario Terriers' Chee-Aloy off to Illinois

Ontario Terriers and Junior National Team outfielder Cameron Chee-Aloy (Toronto, Ont.) has committed to the University of Illinois. Photo: Baseball Canada

November 3, 2021

By Matt Betts

Ontario Terriers

The heart and soul of the Terriers lineup is heading from Toronto, Ontario to Champaign, Illinois when he wraps up his high school career.

Outfielder Cameron Chee-Aloy announced his commitment to play for the University of Illinois Fighting Illini earlier this week. It was love at first sight.

"I thought it was a perfect fit for me," Chee-Aloy said. "On my visit my parents and I fell in love with the school."

The speedy outfielder is one of the most dynamic players in recent Terriers history. Dean Dicenzo, manager of the 18U team, has seen it firsthand and knows what kind of player the Fighting Illini have locked up. In fact, he gave Chee-Aloy one of the best compliments a player can receive.

"He's a baseball player, plain and simple" Dicenzo said. "He plays the game hard, can run, is smooth in the outfield and can handle the bat. He's a difference maker that hits at the top of our lineup. He's also a great kid and a pleasure to coach."

As he gets ready for the next step in his baseball career, Chee-Aloy looks back fondly at his time with the Terriers and the strides he has made as a player.

"The Terriers organization helped me become a better player and person," he said. "When you enter the program you immediately have guys who you can look up to. For me as a 14-year-old, there were guys like Elijha Hammill and Austin Gomm who you tried to emulate."

As for what's to come, he has high expectations.

"My main goal before stepping on campus is to make the Team Canada roster that goes to the world championships in September," he said. "Then, when I arrive on campus I want to compete for a starting job. I also feel like we have a chance to be a really good team, especially with our 2022 and 2023 recruiting classes. I think the guys coming in will give us a chance to win right away."