Powering his way to the OHL
Luca Nardilli has the makings of a classic power forward.
The 15-year-old forward for the Southern Tier Admirals U16 AAA squad measures 6-foot-4 1/2 and weighs in at a solid 175 pounds.
“I was always a couple of inches taller than all my teammates, but two summers ago, that’s when I really sprouted,” the Niagara Falls resident said. “It’s kind of gone where I’ve just kept going and I haven’t stopped.”
Nardilli said he makes every effort to use his size to his advantage.
“One of my good attributes is playing the body,” he said. “You’ve got to use that to your advantage, especially at this level in this age. I think it’s important to play a hard, physical game.”
But the Grade 10 student at Saint Michael Catholic High School is far from a one-trick pony.
“I’d say my hockey IQ is also good too. I’d say not many players have the opportunity to have it so I take it as something special and try to use it every game and make smart plays.
“For being a big guy, I’d say my skill’s pretty good, my hands. Usually it’s all the little guys that like to dangle around and stuff like that.”
Nardilli’s combination of size and skill have turned heads at the Ontario Hockey League level.
“Luca is a big, strong kid. He’s got a late birthday (Dec. 27) so there’s some interest there because of that,” Admirals head coach Rob Deschamps said. “He’s a big kid who is still growing. I think he’s got some upside to his game. He started out at centre this season and we moved him to the wing. I think going forward he could be a power forward.
“I’ve had him for the last two years and he’s getting better and better. A couple years down the road when he gets his man strength, he’s going to be a kid that’s tough to move off the puck.”
Nardilli is eager to hear his name called this weekend at the Ontario Hockey League Priority Selection.
“I’m really excited to see, hopefully, if a team were to pick me,” he said. “I’ve been looking forward to it ever since I started talking to the first couple teams. I’m just really excited.”
Nardilli said he has been interviewed by London, Peterborough and Ottawa.
“It makes me feel amazing,” he said. “It shows me that all the work I’ve been putting in, it’s all paying off, because if teams take time out of their day to call me, then it shows that they’re interested and they like my game.”
Making the OHL would be a dream come true.
“As a little guy, I always went to IceDogs games and looked up to the guys there. So, I kind of thought, it would be pretty special to be one of those guys where the little kids are all looking up to you,” he said.
Nardilli’s first recollection of playing hockey is on a pond with his father.
“I’ve always loved hockey since I was like three years old. My dad kind of got me into it,” he said.
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