When the Niagara Metros signed Justin Ayles last spring, they were hoping he would be able to help raise the level of their pitching staff and make a contribution. Little did they know he would go on exceed all expectations, and become a "key cog" in their record-setting 2012 season.  Justin took to the role of "swing-man" as he was equally effective starting or pitching in relief, and in fact, broke the Metros' All-Time record by appearing in 23 games (5 of them starts).  Justin went 6-2 over his 65 innings, while posting a team-leading 4 saves, and a very nice 3.05 ERA.  And the Metros' players rewarded him for his fine efforts, by naming him their 2012 Top Rookie, in a close vote with SS Marshall McDougall.  Justin, a righthander from Brampton, moved to Niagara to attend school at Brock University and play for the Badgers in 2010.  And it seems like the move to St. Catharines paid off, as he made his mark with the Badgers, and became one of the top pitchers in the entire O.U.A.  As an 18 year-old, Justin was named the Badgers' Rookie-of-the-Year and O.U.A. All-Star reliever, after his 2010 season.  After a 3-2 season in 2011, the young righty "came into his own" in 2012, as he was named the Badgers' Pitcher-of-the-Year.  His 1.55 ERA was 6th in the OUA, and he posted an excellent 5-2 mark, in leading the Badgers to the O.U.A. finals.  His impressive career numbers at Brock include a 12-6 record, 4 saves and a 2.89 ERA over 115 innings.  The 21 year-old comes by this success honestly, as his record in the Brampton Royals' Minor system would confirm.  Justin began his career with the Royals in 2001, and moved through the highly-regarded system...being a major player in four "AAA" championships along the way.  His excellent 2010 season produced a 6-1 record with a 1.50 ERA, as he struck out 45 while walking just 7 in his 42 innings.  In addition to his fine work with the Royals, Justin had success with the St. Thomas Aquinas High School (Brampton) team.  In fact, he captained the team to a Peel Regional H.S. Championship in 2010, which led to his being named named the school's Athlete of the Year.

.