GOJHL top prospects game set
Zac Rinaldo is looking forward to his first experience behind the bench at the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League Top Prospects games in Elmira on Friday, Dec. 27.
The head coach/assistant general manager of the Pelham Panthers will coach Team Rinaldo, one of four squads featuring the top 16 and 17-year-olds from the across the league. Of the 80 players on the four rosters, 51 have been drafted by the Ontario Hockey League.
“I take it serious as a development coach,” Rinaldo said. “I take it serious about helping every single player that’s in front of me on my team. Any little detail that I can give these kids to help them become better players on the ice during the game, that’s what I’m there for.”
Rinaldo, who is well known as an intense competitor, will also try and enjoy the experience.
“I’m also there to kind of have a good, fun, light energy, because I think that these kids have worked hard to be rewarded for these opportunities. And with that, you need to have fun with it, you need to keep it light, and just add as much knowledge as I can to these players every time I see something I think I should implement,” he said.
Rinaldo feels it is vital the GOJHL showcase their up and coming players.
“I think the whole league is about development,” he said. “With these games like this, you can put a whole pool of good players together and watch the chemistry. The hockey IQ speak volumes of how good our league is and what kind of talent we have.”
Rinaldo is proud of the job the GOJHL does developing players.
“Looking at some OHL camps and their prospects, I’ve been kind of taking a deep dive with the analytic department that we have here in Pelham. Lately we’ve looked at a lot of OHL prospects and where they’re playing and the majority of them are playing inside of our league or U18. It says a lot about the quality of players, it says a lot about the board inside of our league, it says a lot about the coaching inside of our league.”
The event is being held at the Dan Snyder Memorial Arena. The first game is at 3 p.m. with Team Martin facing Team Rinaldo, followed at 6 p.m. when Team Schlitt plays Team Doyle.
Team Doyle:
Coaches: Matt Doyle (KW Siskins), Steven Santos (Welland Canadians)
Trainer: Sarah Medeiros (Ayr Centennials)
Equipment Manager: Josh Adams (Stratford Warriors)
Team Martin:
Coaches: Ray Martin (Caledon Bombers), Jordan Hatzinger (Cambridge Redhawks)
Trainer: Sarah Medeiros (Ayr Centennials)
Equipment Manager: Josh Adams (Stratford Warriors)
Team Rinaldo:
Coaches: Zac Rinaldo (Pelham Panthers), Connor Hall (Ayr Centennials)
Trainer: Blair Hennessey (London Nationals)
Equipment Manager: Ty Simmons (Sarnia Legionnaires)
Team Schlitt:
Coaches: Dave Schlitt (Stratford Warriors), Jason Williams (Strathroy Rockets)
Trainer: Blair Hennessey (London Nationals)
Equipment Manager: Ty Simmons (Sarnia Legionnaires)
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