BOZZO NAMED NE PLAYER OF MONTH
The OJHL announced today that Newmarket Hurricanes alternate captain Marco Bozzo (photo credit - Tim Bates/OJHL Images) has been named the Bardown North-East Conference Player-of-the-Month for February after leading the entire OJHL with 11 goals in 11 games played.
The 20-year old veteran scored nearly half of his entire season's goal total (23) during the month of February, even while being shut out during the club's final three games of the season. Also recording 13 points, Bozzo's 11 goals were four more than his closest competitor in the North-East Conference and he also topped all OJHL scorers with six power play goals. Three times he would record multiple goals in a game, including a hat trick performance during an 8-6 loss to the conference leading Trenton Golden Hawks, who the Hurricanes will face in the first round of the post-season. Bozzo started the month with a goal versus Mississauga and would go on an eight game point scoring streak to help the Hurricanes close-out the regular season with a 5-3-3 record to clinch the conference's eighth and final playoff seed.
The native of Woodbridge, Ontario is currently completing his third full OJHL season. A product of the Toronto Nationals Minor Midget and Midget 'AAA' program, Bozzo was a key member of the GTHL Midget champion Nationals in 2013-14, who would also capture the Telus Cup, Central Canadian Midget 'AAA' Championship to earn a spot at the Telus Cup, National Midget 'AAA' Championship that was held in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. During his time with the Nationals, Bozzo would also get his first taste of junior action, suiting up for two games and registering two assists with the eventual OJHL champion Toronto Lakeshore Patriots. He made the full-time jump to the OJHL in 2014-15 with the Pats and registered 21 points in 49 games played as a rookie, before helping lead the club to a second consecutive OJHL Buckland Cup title, however, this time the Patriots would fall in the semi-final of the Dudley-Hewitt Cup held in Fort Frances, Ontario. Bozzo was on the move only 11 games into the 2015-16 season, joining the Newmarket Hurricanes, where he received a more prominent offensive role and finished eighth on the club in scoring with 13 goals and 29 points in 57 regular season contests. Returning as one of the club's veteran leaders this season, he has taken his game to another level during the second half of the season, finishing second in scoring on the 'Canes with 23 goals and 43 points in 50 games played, including a team high 11 power play goals and 4 game-winners.
Lucas Condotta of the Markham Royals was runner-up to Bozzo as the North-East Conference Player-of-the-Month. Condotta tied Bozzo for the conference scoring lead during the month on the strength of 7 goals and 13 points in eight February contests.
