Mignosa showing potential
by Peter Ruicci (Independent Media)
How effective will a bigger, stronger, more mature Marco Mignosa be?
Soo Greyhounds general manager Kyle Raftis undoubtedly enjoys that little thought process.
“You can see the skill level and the head he has for the game,” Raftis said of Mignosa, a 16-year-old (2005 birth year) winger in his first season of Ontario Hockey League action. “Once he adds strength, it’ll make him that much more dangerous. He definitely has a high ceiling – that’s why we drafted him.”
There are those who expected Mignosa, a nearly six-foot, 154-pounder, to go in Round 1, instead of in the second round (No. 36 overall) in the 2021 OHL Priority Selections draft.
But after taking promising winger Justin Cloutier with the 18thchoice of the opening round, the Greyhounds were only too happy to snag Mignosa, a player considered a natural goal scorer, with their second selection.
“You can’t underestimate skill level,” said Raftis. “That’s something you’re always trying to add to your lineup.”
So far, Mignosa has nine goals and six assists in 35 games for the Hounds, a team that is led up front by veterans Rory Kerins, Tye Kartye, Cole MacKay and Tanner Dickinson.
While those four eat up a lot of minutes on a contending team, Mignosa, unlike some other rookies on rebuilding teams, has typically seen time on the third and fourth lines.
Still, he has managed to provide important secondary scoring. He’ll look to boost his points total and contribute to team success this week, as the Hounds begin a three-game homestand on Wednesday (7:07 p.m.) against Saginaw here.
“I think I’ve been doing pretty well,” said Mignosa, who previously starred for the Toronto Nationals U16 club. “I’ve been working really hard and every game I get more confident.”
Mignosa talked about how much he enjoys having the puck on his stick and trying to make plays with it.
However, the quickness he sees at this level has forced a change in approach.
“There isn’t as much time with the puck, so you have to make plays right away with it. But I’m definitely adapting.”
He’s also focused on increasing his size and strength and, with that in mind, plans to put in a great deal of work during the off-season.
As a rookie, the Vaughan, Ont., native said he isn’t focused on offensive numbers. His goal is to “try to put together the best game possible.”
Playing in the OHL has always been his goal, he added, using the word “awesome” to describe his early-season experiences.
Mignosa spoke of how he loves showing up at GFL Memorial Gardens for practice each day, seeing his teammates and working hard alongside them.
“A lot of players can be intimidated and sit back to wait and see where they fit in on a team,” Raftis said. “And with our forward group, it would have been easy for him to sit back.”
Instead, from the beginning of exhibition action “Marco was starting to find his way,” the GM added. “And then right from the start of the regular season he really took off.”
Raftis lauded the young player by noting how, whether it’s in the physical game against a tough opponent, or whether it’s around the opponent’s net, Mignosa has been ready to contribute.
“I think he’s made a great adjustment to playing in this league,” the GM said.
While he’s continually seeking improvement, Mignosa talked about how happy he is to be a part of the Hounds 2021-2022 team. At the midway point of the season, the Greyhounds have established themselves as one of the league’s teams to watch.
They’ll take a 21-12-2-1 record into Wednesday’s clash with the 14-19-1-0 Spirit.
“The league is what I expected, 100 per cent,” he said. “I knew the players would all be elite and every game is always a battle. It’s definitely what I expected.”
Coming off of an impressive 4-2 victory in Guelph last Friday, head coach John Dean has spent time reviewing video from that game.
In an interview with Independent Media, Dean talked about how he was pleased with that performance, but how he wants to see better 5-on-5 play from his club.
“We need to do a better job generating more 5-on-5 offence and spending more time in the offensive zone,” the coach said.
As for the Spirit, a team that has split four games with the Soo this season, Dean talked of the aggressive brand of hockey this opponent plays.
“They’re always trying to make plays, so they can be a very dangerous team off the rush,” he said. “Our job is to make sure we limit chances against, play fast and play a lot in their zone.”
Following Wednesday’s game, the Hounds are slated to play host to Flint on Friday and Barrie on Saturday. Both are 7:07 p.m. starts.
The Firebirds are second to the Hounds in the West Division with a 20-13-0-2 mark. They’re three points behind the Soo with one game in hand.
