Mitch makes the switch
Niagara Falls Canucks coach Frank Pietrangelo knew exactly what he was getting when he signed Mitch Mendonca.
Not only had Pietrangelo seen Mendonca play in the Golden Horseshoe four years ago as a 16-year-old with the Thorold Blackhawks, but he was also familiar with the family.
“I knew his dad Ray from years ago and I’ve known Mitch for years and what kind of hockey player he was and what kind of person he was,” Pietrangelo said.
If that wasn’t enough, Pietrangelo received glowing reports about the Thorold native from former Canucks Frank Pucci and Andrew Barbeau, who played with Mendonca in Wellington of the Ontario Junior Hockey League last year.
Pietrangelo expected Mendonca to be a leader and go-to player on offence and so far the 20-year-old Thorold native has more than held up his end.
Mendonca’s start with the Canucks has been nothing short of phenomenal with 14 goals and 30 points in 12 games, good enough for fourth overall in the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League scoring race.
Mendonca’s production has helped the Canucks race out to a 13-1 record.
“I didn’t think we’d have such a start,” Mendonca said. “You come into every season hoping to have the start we’ve had. I think with the guys we have in the room and seeing them in camp and at practice, I knew we had a strong team and it shows.”
Mendonca has played with Ben Evans and Justin Kyle on a dangerous and powerful line. Evans leads the GOJHL with 38 points while Kyle is second with 37.
“I played with Ben last year in Wellington so we had the chemistry there and then with Justin he’s just an easy guy to play with,” Mendonca said. “He’s the middle man so he helps out wherever on the ice so he’s a great guy to add to the line.
“It’s fun. You go into every game hoping to do well and playing with them it just makes it easier to perform every single night.”
Pietrangelo wasn’t sure he wanted to put all his eggs in one basket, but the trio has been so dynamic he’s had no choice but to keep them together.
“I didn’t envision that right off the bat,” he said. “I thought about splitting them up and making two lines but I thought we had enough on our other lines to be competitive and produce so I put them together and they clicked.
“They were magical from the beginning so it was hard to separate them when they are playing hockey like that.”
Mendonca won a championship with the Dukes last season and is hopeful he can bring some of that experience to the Canucks.
“Last year was definitely a great experience. Coming in here with a winning mentality, I’ve seen what it takes to win,” Mendonca said. “Hopefully I can bring that to some of the guys here. We have high-calibre players so if we all come together hopefully we can put together a championship team this year.”
Pietrangelo has hit the jackpot this year with his recruiting.
“We look for leadership most importantly,” he said. “There are guys who want to come down and have a great time and just party and enjoy their last years of junior hockey and there are other guys who are motivated to continue playing.”
He admitted it’s not always easy where 20-year-olds are concerned.
“With the older guys, if they’re not motivated to be successful, then really, what are they here for?” he said. “Sometimes you are better off bringing in younger kids who are going to work hard. You’re not going to get that same production or leadership from them
“We’re very fortunate the group we’ve brought in this year are good kids and good hockey players.”
Mendonca plans to attend university next season. He has two years of an education package from his time in the Ontario Hockey League with the Belleville Bulls and Hamilton Bulldogs, where he played parts of two seasons after being selected in the fifth round of the 2014 OHL draft by the Bulls.
The Canucks take on the St. Catharines Falcons Tuesday at Jack Gatecliff Arena in a battle of two of the hottest teams in the league. The Canucks lead the standings while the Falcons have won nine straight following a 1-3 start. Two of those losses were to the Canucks in the first two games of the year.
“They have played really well in their last nine or 10 games and we haven’t seen them since the beginning of the season,” Pietrangelo said of the Falcons. “It’s always an important game and a measuring stick and see where you stack up. Ultimately, we know St. Catharines is one of teams at the end of the season we’re going to have to beat to get to where we want to get to.
“We’re looking forward to it. These are the type of games you play all year for.”
Falcons coach/general manager Frank Girhiny is curious to see the progress his team has made since the start of the season against the top team in the conference.
“We have a totally different team,” Girhiny said. “They have a lot of veterans on their team so that is something we’re looking forward to competing against. We’re looking for this to me a measuring stick as to where we’re at compared to where we were before.
“It’s not the be all or end all, but it will give me a good opportunity to measure our guys against their guys.”
SUPPORT US
On the right side of our web site, you will notice a yellow SUPPORT US button.
We are asking anyone who finds value in our work and is able to financially help us to click on the button and contribute whatever amount you feel is appropriate and can afford. There is no set amount. Any amount is appreciated.
The funds collected will be used to enhance and offset the expenses of running the web site.
