By Daniel Carrero
In an unprecedented matchup, the Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) Bold men’s hockey team played an exhibition game against the Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL) 20’s selects team on Jan. 4 at the Mattamy Athletic Centre.
The OJHL is the highest level of youth hockey in Ontario, developing players from 16 to 20 years old for the next level of hockey. Players from the league have moved on to the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA), U Sports and even professional leagues such as the NHL.
The Bold won the match 2-0 with goals in the third period from first-year forward Jordan D’Intino and third-year forward William Portokalis but beyond the result, the game meant much more.
“It’s a great experience for those guys playing junior hockey to see what the next level is like and feel comfortable knowing they can play at that level,” said Bold assistant coach Michael Fine. “It’s also a showcase, now these teams—whether it’s [NCAA] D1, D3 or U Sports—now have video of these junior players playing against a U sports team.”
In November, the NCAA announced a rule change to allow players who have played in the Canadian Hockey League (CHL) to play in the league. Fine referred to a potential “trickle-down effect” of CHL players being available for D1 programs, making OJHL players shift their focus to Canadian U Sports—including the Bold—instead.
“It’s going to be human nature that those D1 teams look to the CHL guys first, just because of how they look at the league. OJHL guys might start having to look at U Sports a bit earlier,” said Fine. To him, that makes the game on Saturday all the more valuable for everyone involved.
“It’s good for them, it’s very valuable. But overall, just a unique experience and a lot of fun to be a part of,” he said.
Bold head coach Johnny Duco, who played in the OJHL from 2000 to 2004 for the Stouffville Spirit, North York Rangers, Wexford Raiders and Thornhill Major Islanders, was one of the main organizers of the event. According to Fine, Duco suggested the idea to someone he knew from his OJHL days.
“OJHL guys might start having to look at U Sports a bit earlier”
Building on his OJHL familiarity, Duco and the Bold have recruited a plethora of players from the junior league. This season, nine of the 30 players on the roster have played in the OJHL.
“I saw the talent in that league even when we were playing [in the OJHL] and [it] hasn’t really fallen short in good talent,” said third-year defender Jaden Condotta, who played for the Georgetown Raiders and the Rangers. “I hope for the best for these guys. It’s awesome the exposure that they got today and to have them keep going.”
Before puck-drop, the Bold hosted two seminars. The first was a lecture from Nick Asquini, director of sport operations at TMU.
“He talked to them about what being a youth sports player slash student is all about, sort of the process of enrolling into school, what a typical day looks like, how many courses you need to take,” said Fine.
In the second seminar, hosted in the team’s changing room, the coaching staff talked about the program, its success over the years and a day-to-day schedule of how the team prepares and performs.
After that, it was time for the players to hit the ice.
With two uneventful periods, the Bold had to deal with the rust from the winter break and a high-level play brought by the OJHL selects.
“I saw a group of guys that were able to create some chemistry. Obviously, they’ve had the day together, so they’ve been able to get along, meet each other, build some chemistry there,” said first-year defender Riley Pitt, who played for the Cobourg Cougars. “They played a good game for not knowing each other for so long. They played hard, they played quick.”
After a slew of back-and-forth action, the Bold finally broke the deadlock in the third period. D’Intino’s goal came after first-year Bold defender Matthew Kinash intercepted St. Michael’s Buzzers defender Anthony Francella’s attempt to clear the puck from his zone and dangled towards the net. His fluffed shot landed near D’Intino for him to place the puck on the top shelf of the net.
To end the game with tension, the OJHL 20’s pulled Buffalo Jr. Sabres’ goalie Dylan Grover from the net. With three seconds left, Leamington Flyers defender Marquise Brown tried going around his net, but Portokalis caught up to him, stole the puck and scored the second and final of the game.
For 20-year-old Milton Menace defender Alessandro Petreccia, this showcase was a unique opportunity to look into the future.
“This is kind of the level we want to move on to, right? So it’s pretty cool being able to experience where you’ve got to be at that level of play,” said Petreccia.
Despite the result, the Bold recognized the effort from the OJHL selects.
“It was a closer game than we would’ve expected and wanted, so big nod to them. They are a hard-working team,” said third-year TMU goalie and Menace alumni Ryan Dugas.
The matchup also allowed the Bold to start considering recruiting from this year’s OJHL graduating class. Fine and the team “were impressed by a handful of guys” including forwards Brice Cooke from the Toronto Patriots and Gavin Grundner from the Flyers. Fine also highlighted Brown’s display on defence and Flyers goaltender Marcus Vandenberg, who “played really well and made a lot of big saves.”
After spending a day at Maple Leaf Gardens and playing against the Bold, OJHL players are back to their normal schedules and may consider TMU their next step in hockey.
“Great school, great hockey program, coaches were good. All the people here have been nice,” said Petreccia. “Definitely consider [joining TMU].”
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