Ahead of the Greater Toronto Hockey League’s 2023 Under-18 All-Star Festival fuelled by Gatorade on January 27-28 at Scotiabank Pond, the ‘AAA’ All-Stars reflected on their minor hockey careers. The U18 ‘AAA’ All-Star Game is scheduled for Friday, January 27 at 7:30pm. Admission to the U18 All-Star Festival, including all games, is free.
U18 AAA ALL-STARS: TEAM BLUE
#1 – G, LOGAN KENNEDY (Vaughan Kings)
Favourite minor hockey memory: Making the OHL cup last season with the U16 Vaughan Kings and getting drafted to the OHL.
What has your minor hockey career meant to you? My minor hockey has been time well spent with amazing people, creating friendships for a lifetime. It has been a rollercoaster of emotions but it has brought me to where I am today. My Minor hockey career has meant the world to me.
#30 – G, JACOB GIBBONS (North York Rangers)
Favourite minor hockey memory: Hearing my name drafted to the Erie Otters and getting a phone call from the owner Mr. Waters and General Manager Dave Brown.
#31 – G, JENSEN HOWE (Toronto Red Wings)
Favourite minor hockey memory: Hotels at tournaments.
What has your minor hockey career meant to you? Minor hockey has given me so many memories and friendships that will last for a lifetime.
#2 – D, GRAYDON FINCH (Toronto Marlboros)
Favourite minor hockey memory: Winning the [U13] Championship and going to the OHF Championship.
What has your minor hockey career meant to you? Minor hockey has given me great friendships with teammates past and present. Your teammates become your brothers and we push each other to get better every time we step on the ice. It has also meant learning about the game and the right way to play from my coaches over the years.
#3 – D, TYLER O’TOOLE (Toronto Marlboros)
Favourite minor hockey memory: Being drafted to the Ontario Hockey League’s Sarnia Sting.
What has your minor hockey career meant to you? Minor hockey started as a hobby, but is now a passion of mine, and it has taught me how to set goals and achieve them. It’s given me a lifetime of memories, and lifelong friends.
#4 – D, JUSTIN HUYNH (North York Rangers)
Favourite minor hockey memory: Winning the 2022 OHL Cup.
What has your minor hockey career meant to you? My minor hockey career has meant everything to me. I have met and grown up with my brothers for life playing minor hockey. Playing minor hockey has also helped me develop and prepare me for the next level.
#5 – D, WILLIAM DOHERTY (Don Mills Flyers)
Favourite minor hockey memory: Winning the GTHL Championship.
What has your minor hockey career meant to you? Life lessons, life skills, life long friends… and a rockin’ good time!
#6 – D, LOGAN SHANNON (Toronto Red Wings)
Favourite minor hockey memory: OMHA Finals.
What has your minor hockey career meant to you? It has been a blast as I have had lots of friendships made, people met, and memories that will last a lifetime. I have developed as a player and a person thanks to hockey.
#7 – D, GARRETT NYSTROM (Markham Majors)
Favourite minor hockey memory: Winning the Bell Cup with the Don Mills Flyers.
What has your minor hockey career meant to you? My Minor hockey career has been huge to me, in making friendships and staying active.
#8 – F, LOGAN DURNO (Don Mills Flyers)
Favourite minor hockey memory: My favourite minor hockey memory is coming back in the playoffs against the Toronto Titans while being down 6-0 and 7-1 to win when I played for Markham in [my U15 year].
What has your minor hockey career meant to you? My minor hockey career has given me friends that will last a lifetime and has taught me so many life lessons I can use outside of hockey.
#9 – F, MICHAEL CESARIO (Vaughan Kings)
Favourite minor hockey memory: Winning the 2022 OHFs and representing Ontario at the Telus Cup in Calgary, Alberta.
What has your minor hockey career meant to you? I’ve been playing minor hockey since I was three years old so it has been a big part of my life growing up. Discipline, leadership, commitment, teamwork, and how to persevere through adversity are the most meaningful skills I’ve developed throughout my minor hockey career and will carry with me for the rest of my life. One of the most important things I’ve gained through playing hockey is the lifelong friendships I’ve developed with my peers.
#10 – F, BECK CARSLEY (Don Mills Flyers)
Favourite minor hockey memory: Winning CIISA at St. Mikes with the boys.
#11 – F, ELIAS GREENWOOD (Vaughan Kings)
Favourite minor hockey memory: My favourite minor hockey memory is getting drafted to the OHL.
What has your minor hockey career meant to you? My minor hockey career has meant a lot to me, being able to grow and develop as a player and learning the game from all my coaches.
#12 – F, JACK DEAN (North York Rangers)
Favourite minor hockey memory: Wow – I have so many amazing memories but I guess one of my favourite memories is playing in the Top Prospects game in my U16 year. It was an unforgettable experience!
What has your minor hockey career meant to you? My minor hockey career has meant the world to me. It’s taught me so many things about the game of hockey, myself, and life. It’s taught me how to set and achieve my goals, and to always strive to get better. I’ve learned many life lessons along the way.
#14 – F, GEORGY TOROPTSEV (North York Rangers)
#15 – F, LUCAS SOARES (North York Rangers)
#16 – F, FRANK CASTIGLIONE (Vaughan Kings)
Favourite minor hockey memory: My favourite minor hockey memory was when I travelled to Prague to play in a hockey tournament, where I got to meet players from all over the world, and [play against] them.
What has your minor hockey career meant to you? My minor hockey career has allowed me to play the sport I love, and create long-lasting friendships.
#17 – F, DYLAN KELLY (Vaughan Kings)
Favourite minor hockey memory: My favourite minor hockey memory was winning the Silver Stick Tournament in Port Huron, Michigan.
What has your minor hockey career meant to you? My minor hockey career has taught me about confidence, teamwork, commitment, leadership, resilience, and discipline. Hockey has given me the opportunity to build on lifelong friendships with teammates and the life skills for the next stage of life and my hockey career by playing the game that I love.
#18 – F, JOSHUA COLOSIMO (North York Rangers)
Favourite minor hockey memory: Winning the Silver Stick tournament in U16.
What has your minor hockey career meant to you? The friendships and relationships have been the best part.
#19 – F, CHRISANTHOS FOULIDIS (Toronto Marlboros)
Favourite minor hockey memory: My favourite hockey memory was at an out-of-town tournament. I remember hundreds of kids from different hockey teams all playing ultra-competitive mini-sticks in the evening.
What has your minor hockey career meant to you? Hockey has been a way of life, allowing me to train as an elite athlete, learn time management, compete, working with a team, and spending time with family.
#20 – F, ETHAN NOBES (Toronto Marlboros)
Favourite minor hockey memory: My favourite minor hockey memory would be winning the GTHL city finals in 2018-2019.
What has your minor hockey career meant to you? My minor hockey career has meant everything to me. Dedicating hours on and off the ice to get better but also making lifelong memories with some special people.
U18 AAA ALL-STARS: TEAM RED
#1 – G, PAOLO FRASCA (Toronto Jr. Canadiens)
Favourite minor hockey memory: Winning the Whitby Silver Stick Tournament (November 2021 with the U16 Toronto Jr Canadiens).
What has your minor hockey career meant to you? Hockey has held a special place in my heart ever since the first time I put on skates. Throughout my minor hockey career, I have had an insane amount of fun, learned many lessons along the way, and have made many friendships and memories that will last a lifetime.
#30 – G, EVAN MAILLET (Toronto Jr. Canadiens)
#31 – G, CALEM YORKE (Toronto Titans)
Favourite minor hockey memory: Being a part of the Pro Hockey Life Cup winning U16 Toronto Marlboros.
What has your minor hockey career meant to you? Minor hockey has taught me how to battle through adversity, as well as learn a level of respect for my teammates and opponents.
#2 – D, ANDONI FIMIS (Toronto Jr. Canadiens)
Favourite minor hockey memory: The entire U16 Season highlighted by winning the International Silver Stick.
What has your minor hockey career meant to you? My minor hockey career has meant a lot to me. It has allowed me to develop as a person and hockey player on and off the ice. It gave me the opportunity to meet so many great people over the years, creating some amazing memories and friendships that will last a lifetime.
#3 – D, ALEXANDER STEPHEN (Toronto Jr. Canadiens)
Favourite minor hockey memory: My favourite hockey memory was winning the GTHL with the Toronto Marlboros and going 25-3 in the regular season.
What has your minor hockey career meant to you? Minor hockey was a way for me to meet new friends and make some great connections. It has been a way for me to learn some great life skills while playing the sport I love.
#4 – D, CARSON LITTLEJOHN (Toronto Jr. Canadiens)
Favourite minor hockey memory: I have a few but the most recent one was when we won the OMHA’s red hats!
What has your minor hockey career meant to you? I love playing hockey and along the way I have made a lot of friends on different teams and have enjoyed all the coaches I have played for so far. The experience will last forever!
#5 – D, NATHAN SCHAAP (Toronto Titans)
Favourite minor hockey memory: My favourite minor hockey memory is going to hockey tournaments and being with friends.
What has your minor hockey career meant to you? My minor hockey career has meant a lot to me. It has made me lots of friends, but it has also given me something to do over the past 11 years, and taught me many values that will help me in the future.
#6 – D, COLIN MAUND (Toronto Young Nationals)
#7 – D, PHILIP ROBERTO (Mississauga Senators)
Favourite minor hockey memory: Winning the OHL Cup.
What has your minor hockey career meant to you? My hockey career has taught me many life lessons such as commitment, hard work, and discipline. It has also brought me lifetime friendships that I would have never had if I didn’t play the sport.
#8 – F, LUCIANO BRUNO (Toronto Jr. Canadiens)
Favourite minor hockey memory: Being awarded the Jason Cripps Memorial Trophy in our Tournament Championship, which recognizes players who demonstrate skill, passion, sportsmanship, fair play, and leadership to their teammates, was a highlight of my minor hockey career.
What has your minor hockey career meant to you? My journey in minor hockey has provided me with the valuable opportunity to strive toward my dream of playing in the OHL and becoming a professional NHL player. This journey has not only helped me enhance my physical skills, teamwork, self-confidence, and a sense of accomplishment, but also allowed me to form meaningful and long-lasting friendships.
#9 – F, LIRIM AMIDOVSKI (Toronto Jr. Canadiens)
Favourite minor hockey memory: Spending time at tournaments with my teammates.
What has your minor hockey career meant to you? My minor hockey career has meant a lot to me because it taught me to work hard and it has shaped me into the person I am today.
#10 – F, BRANDON GILL (Toronto Jr. Canadiens)
Favourite minor hockey memory: Winning the GTHL Championship in U12.
What has your minor hockey career meant to you? My minor hockey career has meant the world to me. Being blessed with the opportunity to compete with and against great players while making lifelong friends in the process is something I am very grateful to have experienced.
#11 – F, JAYDEN LEVESQUE (Toronto Titans)
Favourite minor hockey memory: Winning the OHFs and going to the Telus Cup with the U18 Reps last season (20210-2022).
What has your minor hockey career meant to you? My minor hockey career has meant so much to me as it has helped teach me so many life skills and develop new friendships all while playing the game I love. My minor hockey career has also enabled me to build character and create so many amazing memories and opportunities that I will cherish and bring with me for the rest of my life.
#12 – F, PETER FORESTER (Thunder Bay Kings)
Favourite minor hockey memory: Spring hockey tournaments with the boys.
What has your minor hockey career meant to you? It has shaped me for the future, making lifelong friends and having the best times of my life.
#14 – F, NATHAN McLEAN (Toronto Young Nationals)
Favourite minor hockey memory: Winning the GTHL Regular Season, Playoffs, Provincial Championship, and International Silver Stick all in one season.
What has your minor hockey career meant to you? My minor hockey experience has taught me the importance of teamwork and what’s it like to be part of group who all want the same thing. It has also provided me with lifelong friendships and memories that has made it all worth it.
#15 – F, JORDAN LATHAM (Toronto Young Nationals)
Favourite minor hockey memory: Winning the U18 ‘AAA’ GTHL Championship in 2021-22.
What has your minor hockey career meant to you? Minor hockey has been the biggest and best part of my life. I have enjoyed playing hockey more than anything else. I have made lifelong friends and have learned the value of hard work and teamwork.
#16 – F, MACGREGOR RICHMOND (Toronto Young Nationals)
Favourite minor hockey memory: Winning the Port Huron Silver Stick when I was 12.
What has your minor hockey career meant to you? My minor hockey career has meant a lot to me. Growing up around the rink, some of the best memories of my life were made with my teammates so I’m super grateful to have been able to play for this long.
#17 – F, MARKOS SAROGLOU (Mississauga Senators)
Favourite minor hockey memory: Meeting the Pittsburgh Penguins.
What has your minor hockey career meant to you? It has been the best experience and years of my life.
#18 – F, ARTEM NARBEKOV (Toronto Red Wings)
#19 – F, GAVIN CHAPPLE (Mississauga Rebels)
Favourite minor hockey memory: Playing in the OMHA championships.
What has your minor hockey career meant to you? Playing minor hockey since the age of five has shaped the person I am today. I appreciate the friendships I have made and the sense of accomplishment hockey has given me.
#20 – F, NICHOLAS LOFRANCO (Reps Hockey Club)
Favourite minor hockey memory: Playing in the outdoor game in Buffalo.
What has your minor hockey career meant to you? My minor hockey career has helped shaped me into the player I am today. I have had the opportunity to play with great people and turn that into lifelong friendships.
