Ahead of the Greater Toronto Hockey League’s Under-18 All-Star Festival fuelled by Gatorade on March 4-5 at Scotiabank Pond, the ‘AA’ All-Stars were asked to reflect on their minor hockey careers. The U18 ‘AA’ All-Star Game is scheduled for Saturday, March 5 at 2:40pm.
U18 ‘AA’ ALL-STARS: TEAM BLUE
- WILL STEEDMAN – HUMBER VALLEY SHARKS, #31
“Hockey gives me a chance to be part of a team, have fun, get physically fit, and make a contribution to the community. I’m most proud of giving my team a chance to win each game.”
- CAMERON CASSARO – MISSISSAUGA TERRIERS, #32
“To me, hockey means memories, pride, and commitment, as well as all the amazing coaches and friends I have met along the way. Looking back at my minor hockey career, I’m most proud of making it to Silver Stick and playing in Michigan.”
- MARCUS FEDERICO – VAUGHAN RANGERS, #31
- OWEN BRAZEL – HUMBER VALLEY SHARKS, #7
“To me, hockey means having fun with friends and family while creating lasting memories. Whether it was playing games, travelling to tournaments or hanging out with my teammates, I have created memories that I will remember for life. I am most proud of the friendships that I have made. Many of the friends I made when I started playing hockey are still my good friends today and I am proud that I can say that I stayed friends with them throughout my minor hockey career.”
- TROY CHAMBERLAIN – HUMBER VALLEY SHARKS, #15
“Hockey means having fun with my teammates, especially at out of town tournaments. It means challenging myself to improve my skills and become a better teammate. I’m most proud of going to the city finals during my U11 year and being given the opportunity to be an assistant captain for four years by my coaches.”
- CARSON BENNETT – MISSISSAUGA TERRIERS, #41
“Hockey, to me, means brotherhood and new friends that turn into friendships that last forever. Hockey is also like a family because once you create a bond with your teammates and get to know them better they turn into family and family lasts forever. Hockey is a passion and something that makes me smile everyday. Hockey involves a lot of traveling and I’ve been fortunate enough to to travel to a lot of places to play the sport I love.
Looking back on my minor hockey career, I’d say my proudest moments are the times I went to the [Ontario Hockey Federation] championships. I’m also proud to have won the [Mississauga Hockey League] gold medal five years in a row with the same team and the same coach.”
- CHARLIE FISHER – NORTH TORONTO, #13
- RYAN GIBSON – MISSISSAUGA BLACKHAWKS, #3
“To me, hockey means having a good time with friends. I am proud of the memories made, and the connections with the people I’ve met along the way.”
- JORDAN ABBAS — HUMBER VALLEY SHARKS, #8
“I have played hockey for most of my life. Hockey is a competitive and fun game. It has given me lifelong friendships and memories that I will always be thankful for. Looking back on my minor hockey career, I am most proud of playing on the same team which has always had a positive environment.”
- TRENT MARTIN — HUMBER VALLEY SHARKS, #84
“To me, hockey means long lasting friendships and great memories. I’m most proud of my U9 year where we won many tournaments and we were always in the paper.”
- AARON TOGURI — HUMBER VALLEY SHARKS, #14
“[Hockey has always] given me the opportunity to play a sport that I love with my friends, creating lifelong memories with them. I’m just proud to play a team sport with my buddies, through the good and tough times. Also, that I am friends with many of my teammates I played with over the years.”
- JONATHAN RZEPKA — HUMBER VALLEY SHARKS, #13
“[Hockey means] getting to spend time with friends and make memories playing the sport. I’m most proud of getting to play hockey in Europe and experience the sport in a new community.”
- BRENNAN MURPHY — MISSISSAUGA TERRIERS, #81
“Playing hockey means I get to play a sport I really love and share with friends and family! Looking back, I am most proud of how my minor hockey has allowed me to grow as a person on and off the ice!”
- KYLE DUMANSKI – MISSISSAUGA TERRIERS, #98
“Hockey for me means fun, friends, and teamwork. I am most proud of the going to the Silver Stick in Port Huron.”
- NICHOLAS DE SANTIS – VAUGHAN RANGERS, #16
“Hockey has meant a lot to me. It was great being part of team and playing with the same teammates. We relied on each other and always had each other’s back. My best memories were definitely away tournaments, we always had a blast. I’m most proud of making lasting friendships and playing with the guys over all these years. Of course, achieving all our successes together and working hard to get there.”
- MATTHEW DE DOMENICO – VAUGHAN RANGERS, #10
“[Hockey means] competitiveness, commitment, respect, and success. I’m most proud of winning the International Silver Stick in Port Huron… now our team is recognized in the Hockey Hall of Fame.”
- JAMES MATHESON — NORTH TORONTO, #19
“Hockey means a fun time with good friends. I am most proud of all the great teams I have been lucky to be a part of.”
- PETER KLATIL – NORTH TORONTO, #29
“Hockey represents most of my life. I’ve played for over 10 years and it has been my favourite thing to do growing up. Looking back at my minor hockey career, I am most proud of all the goals I scored and games I’ve won. I’m also very proud of the person hockey made me become.”
- NOAH LAKHANI – MISSISSAUGA BLACKHAWKS, #9
“The sport of hockey, the experience of playing and competing has shaped the person I am today. Hockey isn’t just a sport, it’s something that has taught me leadership, teamwork, and commitment. It’s allowed me to grow as an individual and make life long friends.
One of my best memories looking back was winning the GTHL West and coming first place in the standings to win the Kraft Cup during my U11 year. I’m really proud of our team winning the Georgina Regional Silver Stick and attending the final at Port Huron during my U13 year. The team parade during opening ceremonies was an amazing experience. I’m also very proud to be the first hockey player in my family and I’ve helped my two younger brothers learn to play the game.”
- NATHAN SAMAROO – TORONTO AEROS, #91
“To me, hockey is about growing as a person with friends and making memories. Looking back at my minor hockey career, I’m most proud of the life lessons I have learned and the successes I’ve had on different teams.”
U18 ‘AA’ ALL-STARS: TEAM RED
- JAMES DE BRITO – MISSISSAUGA BEAST, #1
“Hockey is the greatest sport in the world… you have fun, make friends, stay in shape, and become a part of the hockey community. I’m proud of how far I’ve evolved since I began playing hockey at the age of 10.”
- JIMMY SAUDER – VAUGHAN PANTHERS, #41
“Hockey means having fun with friends and family. I’m most proud to have made so many friends and memories along the way.”
- CHRIS THOMPSON – LEASIDE FLAMES, #31
“Hockey is friendships, learning teamwork, and growing as an individual. As a goalie, it is all about the next shot and helping my team succeed. I’m most proud of winning the Kraft Cup with Leaside Flames, and the times I won tournaments with the Flames and Don Mills and the sense of team this created.”
- LUCAS COLONNA – MISSISSAUGA BEASTS, #44
“To me, hockey means enjoyment, memories, family, and commitment. Looking back at my hockey career, I am most proud of making new friends and creating lifelong memories that will stick with me forever.”
- DAVID REDA – MISSISSAUGA BEAST, #13
“To me, hockey is a friends, family, and community sport. I have been playing since I was five years old and have created many core memories with my dad and met my lifelong friends through my teams. Hockey is my passion and has been a part of my life forever and will continue to be. The ice has been an outlet for stress and a place and sport that breathes life into me.
I am most proud of winning the Kraft Cup and the GTHL West Championship. I am also proud that I played ‘AAA’ for a few years, won many weekend tournaments, and gave it my all on the ice with my teammates. I am additionally proud of all the skills my team and I have acquired over the years when I look back at our progress and toughest moments.”
- STEFANO BREGLIANO – VAUGHAN PANTHERS, #18
“Hockey has played a major role in the development of my childhood. Hockey has allowed me to create meaningful relationships with teammates and coaches. Looking back, I am most proud of how hockey has made me a better person off the ice. Hockey has taught me meaningful life skills such as teamwork, determination, and leadership.”
- ERIC STEPHENSON – LEASIDE FLAMES, #8
“Hockey is socializing and competing in my favourite sport, for me. I am most proud of winning the Silver Stick.”
- REID ANDERSON – TORONTO EAGLES, #81
“Hockey is a place where you can go to just have fun and play with your friends. When you’re playing hockey, the only thing that you can think of is playing with your teammates and beating the other team. The most proud I have been when playing hockey is when my team won a Silver Stick tournament three years ago with only nine players because of injury and suspensions. We only had two guys on the bench and we had more coaches than players on the bench.”
- DECKLIN TIMM – DON MILLS MUSTANGS, #4
“Hockey means everything to me – it’s my escape and my home. Looking back, I’m very proud of playing for one team and being lucky enough to make many lifelong friendships on that one team.”
- FRANK DIVITA – MISSISSAUGA BEAST, #16
“Hockey gives me building a bond with a group of guys who will always be my friends on and off the ice. My proudest moment is definitely wining the championship when I was on the Don Mills Jr. Flyers, a great time for sure.”
- ADRIAN BREEN – MISSISSAUGA BEASTS, #78
“Hockey to me is friends, family, and memories. I am most proud of making friends and winning championships.”
- JACK BELLIGERO – VAUGHAN PANTHERS
“Hockey to me is an escape from reality, it’s a place where we as players all feel safe, and have fun playing a sport that we are all still in love with. My greatest achievement in hockey is winning the Silver Stick this year and being selected to be a part of the All-Star team.”
- ROBERT COCCARI – VAUGHAN PANTHERS, #6
To me, hockey means being a part of a group of hard workers who always have your back no matter what, as well as being able to create and establish friendships and memories that will be cherished and remembered for a lifetime. [I’m most proud of] all the championships won and memories created with my teammates as well as working with coaches who have taught me lifelong lessons.”
- JOSEPH CINA – VAUGHAN PANTHERS, #72
“Minor hockey has given me the opportunity to spend time with friends and family while participating in a sport that I love. Hockey has helped me to develop discipline, respect, and resilience. Not every game results in a win, but every game is a memory to treasure. The proudest moment in my hockey career was when I won the fastest skater competition at the Rogers Centre, and I carried the Canadian flag around the rink before a [Toronto] Marlies game. I was 10 years old, and the flag was very heavy, but I didn’t waiver. I held it proudly and securely knowing that I was representing my team.”
- CONSTANTINE VELENTZAS – LEASIDE FLAMES, #13
“[To me, hockey means] passion, gritty, and fierce. I am most proud of the memories, bonds, and friends I was able to make throughout my minor hockey career. The sensational feeling of winning big tournaments, championships, and making a play when it matters.”
- EVAN GRAHAM — TORONTO EAGLES, #4
“Hockey has provided me with endless opportunities to develop as an individual and as a part of a team. The friendships and new experiences hockey brought me has really shaped who I am today. I’m most proud of winning the 2021-2022 Pembroke Regional Silver Stick Tournament.”
- DAVID MARCHELLO – TORONTO EAGLES, #19
“Hockey means a lot to me. It teaches me life lessons that I will use in my future life. It has also taught me to be determined and never give up on your dreams. [I’m most proud of] winning the Silver Stick with my current team.”
- NATHAN GIGUERE – DON MILLS MUSTANGS, #44
“Hockey is having something to prove every time I step on the ice. I am most proud of my work ethic on and off the ice.”
- JACK O’BRIEN — TED REEVE THUNDER, #24
“Hockey has been such a big part of my life since I was seven years old. My best memories are times spent at the rink, in the car on the way to tournaments with my team in the dressing room and on the ice. I am so thankful I was introduced to hockey and had the opportunity to play. The last couple of years has shown me how much I love the game and have missed being on the ice, being part of the team, celebrating wins, and getting stronger with a loss. One of the things I am most proud of from my minor league hockey days is when our team made the OHFs which is one of the biggest tournaments in Ontario. It was a fantastic experience and it is still one of my most proudest hockey accomplishments to this day.”
- OWEN NICHOLS — TED REEVE THUNDER, #81
“To me, hockey means having fun, competing alongside friends. My most proud accomplishment of my minor hockey career is scoring 50 goals in my first year of house league.”
