NEWS

The OJHL announced today that St. Michael's Buzzers alternate captain David Italiano (photo credit - Mike Ivall/OJHL Images) has been named the Gongshow Gear South-West Conference Player-of-the-Month for September after notching 13 goals for the nationally ranked OJHL club. 

The native of Etobicoke, Ontario is a five-year OJHL veteran that is finding his stride during his final season of junior eligibility.  Italiano went on a torrid scoring streak that would see him fire home 12 goals in and eight game goal scoring streak and 13 goals in 10 games played throughout the month.  Adding five assists, he finished September leading the Buzzers and tied for the OJHL lead with 18 points, including a league-leading five power play goals.  His month included a four point effort during a 5-2 victory over Lindsay and back-to-back three point efforts that finished off the month with a hat trick during the club's Governors' Showcase victory over Hamilton.

"I am honoured to receive the September Gongshow Player-of-the-Month Award," said Italiano.  "It is great to be recognized on a personal good start to the year and this is in essence a team award I'd like to share with my line and teammates.  We look forward to the remainder of the season."

"Dave is off to a great start so far early in the season," added Buzzers General Manager and Head Coach Rich Ricci.  "Dave has worked hard this summer and looks to be healthy after last year being ailed by some lingering health issues.  Dave is skating real well, has a great shot and is making an impact on-and-off the ice for us.  I'm happy for him.  He's worked hard to get here and he is now getting the recognition."

Anthony Repaci of the Toronto Jr. Canadiens was runner-up to Italiano as the South-East Conference Player-of-the-Month.  Repaci recorded 8 goals and 18 points in 9 games played during the month to lead the Jr. Canadiens and tie for the lead in the overall scoring race.

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Born on April 8, 1993 in Etobicoke, Ontario, David Italiano grew up playing for a variety of minor hockey organizations within the Greater Toronto Hockey League (GTHL), including the Toronto Jr. Canadiens, Humber Valley Sharks and finishing up with the Toronto Red Wings organization during his minor midget season in 2008-09.

Italiano joined the OJHL (then CCHL) as a 16-year old member of the Upper Canada Patriots (now Toronto Lakeshore Patriots) in 2009-10.  The rookie posted 12 goals and 22 points in 48 regular season games played and earned a spot on the CCHL Prospects Team that fell 6-2 in the Battle of Ontario held in Pembroke, Ontario versus the CJHL.  Following his successful rookie campaign, Italiano was moved to the St. Michael's Buzzers, where he was in the midst of finishing off his high school career as well.

Italiano would spend the next three seasons as a member of the famed Buzzers, gradually increasing his offensive output each season; from 13 to 17 to 27 goals and from 27 to 42 to 56 points.  His career-highs of 27 goals and 56 points, as well as a high of 98 penalty minutes, were recorded while playing the entire 55 game regular season in 2012-13.  The hard-working forward would add another 10 points in 17 post-season contests last year as St. Michael's captured their first OJHL title since 2006 with a seven game series victory over the Newmarket Hurricanes.

The tireless worker, with a work ethic second to none, enters this season as one of the club's undisputed leaders and based on his early season success is poised to shatter his career-highs and help lead the Buzzers in their quest for back-to-back titles.