Clarkson University Athletics

FRESHMAN YEAR (2025-26):  Van Steensel made an immediate impact during his first season at Clarkson, leading the Golden Knights with 12 goals while adding 13 assists for 25 points in all 38 games. He finished second on the team in scoring, tied for second in assists and ranked fourth with 82 shots on goal. Clarkson’s official statistics also credited him with three power-play goals, one shorthanded goal, two game-winners and 17 blocked shots...Van Steensel was especially productive against conference opponents, recording eight goals and nine assists for 17 points in 22 ECAC Hockey games. He led Clarkson in conference goals and tied for second on the team in ECAC scoring. Both of his game-winning goals came during league play, including one in overtime...The freshman quickly demonstrated his ability to contribute against high-level competition. Van Steensel scored the tying goal in Clarkson’s 5–2 victory over eighth-ranked North Dakota, collecting a rebound and creating space before beating the goaltender from close range. He had four goals by the beginning of November and scored the go-ahead goal in Clarkson’s 5–1 win at Union...Van Steensel continued his strong play in December. He scored during a three-goal third-period outburst in a 4–1 victory over Cornell and followed with the game-winning goal against Colgate the next evening. He later assisted on Talon Sigurdson’s insurance goal in a 3–2 win over RIT, helping Clarkson complete a five-game winning streak...One of Van Steensel’s biggest moments came in Clarkson’s dramatic 8–7 overtime victory over Union. With 1:10 remaining in overtime, he moved to the opposite side of the crease and finished Ryan Bottrill’s pass for the game-winning goal. The tally capped the highest-scoring game of Clarkson’s season and gave Van Steensel his 10th goal of the year...Van Steensel remained an important offensive contributor during Clarkson’s postseason run, which included an opening-round win over RPI, a quarterfinal upset of top-seeded Quinnipiac and a second consecutive trip to Lake Placid. His 12 goals were the most by a Clarkson freshman, and his production earned him recognition as a nominee for the department’s Male Rookie of the Year award.

BEFORE CLARKSON:  Owen, a native of Ilderton, Ontario, is known for his leadership and offensive prowess. In the 2024–25 season, he played 36 games for the North Bay Battalion, recording 12 goals and 12 assists. Owen was traded to Barrie for a playoff push where he would fit right in earning 27 points in 31 games.

Prior to the 2024–25 season, Owen had a standout 2023–24 campaign, tallying 41 goals and 45 assists for 86 points in 65 games. His exceptional performance earned him the captaincy of the Battalion.

Van Steensel began his junior career with the Komoka Kings in the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League (GOJHL), where he played two games in the 2019–20 season. He then joined the North Bay Battalion in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), where he played four seasons. During the 2023–24 season, he had a breakout year, recording 41 goals and 45 assists for 86 points in 65 games. In the 2024–25 season, he played 36 games for the North Bay Battalion, recording 13 goals and 13 assists for 26 points. He was then traded to the Barrie Colts, where he played 31 games, recording 10 goals and 17 assists for 27 points.

Van Steensel's exceptional performance earned him the OHL's Player of the Month award in December 2023 and a spot on the OHL First All-Star Team in 2024. He was also named the OHL's Most Outstanding Player in 2024.