Mignosa: ‘Things are just going my way’
by Peter Ruicci (Independent Media) | Photo by Natalie Shaver (OHLImages)
When it comes to requesting he talk about his accomplishments, Marco Mignosa typically requires a nudge.
Make that a serious push.
A heart-and-soul team player, the overage winger is more inclined to discuss how he’d love to end his OHL career with an organizational goal, in the form of an OHL championship.
And these days, he’s doing all he can to help the Soo Greyhounds get there.
In his eight games before Saturday’s 1-0 loss to Guelph, the Vaughan, Ont., native had 10 goals and 10 assists. His impressive play has helped the Hounds mitigate, to an extent, the absence of injured stars Brady Martin and Chase Reid.
“Things are just going my way and I’m just trying to build off of that every game,” said Mignosa, who has moved into a position where he’s a definite threat to win the OHL scoring title.
He’s also considered one of the players in the mix to win the league’s MVP award.
Going into Wednesday’s 7:05 game in Sudbury, Mignosa has 77 points, tied for third in the scoring race.
With 28 goals and 49 assists, Mignosa is deadlocked in points with Peterborough’s Kieron Walton (36-41) and Barrie’s Cole Beaudoin (26-51).
The OHL leader going into Wednesday’s action is Saginaw’s Nikita Klepov (33-48-81). He’s two points ahead of Flint’s Nathan Aspinall (28-51-79).
A scoring crown “would mean a lot,” said Mignosa, a six-foot, 175-pounder. “There are a lot of good players in this league and obviously, it would be a cool accomplishment. But team success is more important, for sure.”
How about the possibility of being named MVP?
“It would mean the world,” Mignosa answered. ‘I’m always trying to do my best for the team and the organization. So, to be recognized, that possibility would be great.”
John Dean said he has no doubt Mignosa is the player who’s been most valuable to any team this season.
The Hounds coach pointed out how the Tampa Bay Lightning prospect has had to work with different centres and wingers.
That’s a function of the injury problems the club has faced throughout the season.
“It doesn’t matter who we put him with, he leads the way,” Dean began. “He leads in point production, play at both ends of the ice, style of play, compete level, special teams. This guy really does it all for us. He’s our heartbeat and he’s been incredible.”
As part of his recent hot streak, Mignosa’s fourth short-handed goal this season has made him the franchise’s all-time leader in short-handed tallies with 14.
Over the course of the 2025-26 campaign, he leads the Soo in power-play goals, with nine, and power-play assists, with 13.
Mignosa admits leaving a strong legacy is something important to him.
“One-hundred per cent, it’s important,” he said. “An award would be pretty awesome. But I’ll do whatever I can to help this team win.”
As of Tuesday afternoon, the club hadn’t heard whether winger Jeremy Martin (upper body) was cleared to play on Wednesday. Still, the Hounds were hopeful.
Brady Martin (shoulder) and Reid (upper body) were still listed as day-to-day.
Asked what he wanted to see from his club against the Wolves, Dean talked of his desire to watch the Hounds produce some offence, after being blanked against Guelph.
“I really want to see a team that plays within its identity,” added the coach, whose squad carries a 34-17-1-5 mark into the matchup with Sudbury (23-32-2-0). “I don’t think we do that often enough. We wait too long to pour it on.”
With 11 regular season games remaining, the fourth-place Hounds go into Wednesday five points back of idle Windsor in the Western Conference and three points ahead of idle London.
Following that clash, the Soo returns home to take on Kingston on Friday (7:07 p.m.).
