NEWS

Ontario Junior Hockey League resident reporter Ron Valentine is profiling the 2021-22 team captains of The OJ.

BY RON VALENTINE

The name Condotta is very familiar to followers of the OJHL. Forward Lucas played with the Pickering Panthers, Hamilton Red Wings and, when that team moved, the Markham Royals – a team he captained in his final two Junior campaigns.

He is now in his fourth year with the NCAA Division 1 UMass/Lowell Riverhawks and has just been appointed captain there.

Now it is younger brother, JADEN CONDOTTA's turn to be in the hockey spotlight. He played three seasons on the blueline for his native Georgetown Raiders after coming out of the Toronto Titans system. Last season he made a handful of appearances for the Pueblo Bulls in (Colorado) in the United States Premier Hockey League.

Jaden will have help from assistant captains Maxwell Donohoe and Aydin Parekh.

The new 'C' explains: "I went down to Pueblo with teammate Cole Tucker (who is now attending Elmira College) and got to play in a few games late in the season and in their playoffs. It was good to be on the ice and it really is a great part of the country."

"I'm lucky to have two young guys as A's. Both have great leadership skills Max is a gifted offensive player who usually gets the puck on the net. Aydin is a very solid and reliable defenceman, he moves the puck really well, he is very smart."

I watched Jaden as a defenceman in his rookie season with the Raiders and he was the smallest player on the ice; that little guy on the blueline.

"I've grown a lot since then,” Jaden noted. "I'm close to six-feet tall now."

The trade to North York took place on Nov. 5, 2020.

"My years in Georgetown were great but now I'm looking forward to the new challenge with the Rangers. We had a good time at the 'Cottage Cup' (a preseason exhibition tournament in Collingwood earlier this month). The first games were just two periods but the final was a full game and we made it there against the CCHL's Ottawa Junior Senators and we lost 3-2 on a very late goal but I think we represented the league well. I am very much looking forward to this season's Showcase tournament in Cobourg."

"We have a young but talented team in North York this season with around 10 rookies ready to step into the lineup. We have several players who are ready to make an impact for us, including forwards Zach Ophoven and Jack Rimmer, both from the Mississauga Rebels organization, along with the more seasoned guys."

The Rangers have of late been noted for top notch goaltending, notably Jett Alexander, Colby Muis and Eli Shiller.

"This time James Gray is the guy,” Jaden said, "He was very strong in our last season (2019-2020) and he will be getting the bulk of the workload. He played very well in the Cottage Cup."

"This is a very important season for me, naturally, my final one in junior, I want to follow in Lucas' footsteps and get a college scholarship and I have had a couple of preliminary talks with schools but what happens this season will tell the tale."

"I'm really happy about the challenge of captaincy and want to use my role as a two-way defenceman with creative ability and a special teams player to reinforce my voice on the ice. I have worked really hard on the skating aspect of my game. Coach Geoff (Schmogoyi) is a stickler for the systems and is great to play for and very open to all the players. He pushes us but is always fair. Respect is an important part of the game you have to give it and then get it from others."

The enthusiastic former, but no longer, 'might mite' will be a force to be reckoned with for this upcoming campaign keeping the family name in the boxscores and the Rangers in contention in the South. 

The Head Coach has the final word: "Jaden was a very obvious pick for us this season to be our captain. Jaden has tons of experience in the league and brings a complete game and a great understanding of what it takes to win in this league. He has great leadership qualities and our group respects and looks up to him."

Follow Ron Valentine on Twitter @ronandlynda

Photo by Tim Bates of OJHL Images