Familiar faces square off at NJT Camp
Saturday December 13, 2014
By Josh Sweetland/OHL
Toronto, ON – Familiar faces squared off at the Mattamy Athletic Centre in Toronto on Saturday night as a CIS Selects squad consisting of several OHL graduates took on Canadian National Junior Team hopefuls looking to make an impression on Hockey Canada brass.
Guelph Storm forward Robby Fabbri scored twice and Oshawa Generals winger Michael Dal Colle tallied a goal and an assist in a 10-3 victory for the Canadian Junior squad that also featured OHL talent in Lawson Crouse (Kingston Frontenacs), Nick Baptiste (Erie Otters), Remi Elie (Belleville Bulls), Jason Dickinson (Guelph Storm), Nick Paul (North Bay Battalion), Nick Ritchie (Peterborough Petes) and defenceman Chris Bigras (Owen Sound Attack). Arizona Coyotes prospect Max Domi (London Knights), Edmonton Oilers first round pick Darnell Nurse (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds), and top 2015 NHL Draft prospect Connor McDavid (Erie Otters) did not play on Saturday.
While the talent laden Canadian Junior Team put on a strong showing for the many in attendance on Saturday, the CIS Selects featured several recent OHL graduates who have taken the next step in their young careers. The CIS team featured 12 former OHL’ers in the lineup including recent graduates Alex Basso and Dylan Smoskowitz.
After an appearance in the 2014 MasterCard Memorial Cup with the London Knights to wrap up a five year OHL career, Basso, a smooth skating defenceman who also played with Belleville and Sarnia, is adjusting to life at Ryerson University. “This is a great place to play hockey and it’s a great place to go to school,” said Basso after Saturday’s game. “I’ve been able to use my OHL Education Package to enroll in the Business program here and I’ve been doing really well in my studies with the added opportunity to continue playing for a competitive hockey team here at Ryerson.”
Basso, who scored a powerplay goal in the first period on a slapshot from the point, enjoyed having the opportunity to play against some former opponents. “Those guys are all world class players, some that I was priviledged to play against in the OHL. I took a lot away from my five years in the league and I gained a lot of valuable life experience in addition to being able to do things like play in the Memorial Cup and the outdoor game in Detroit last season.”
Former Barrie Colt, Mississauga Steelhead and Oshawa General Dylan Smoskowitz suited up against past teammate Michael Dal Colle with the two enjoying the opportunity to get back on the ice together. “We were texting each other this afternoon and we shared a good laugh out on the ice,” said the York University forward Smoskowitz. “He’s a real talent, one of the best guys I’ve had the opportunity to play with. I tried to make him look good out there without making myself look too bad,” he chuckled.
Dal Colle echoed Smoskowitz’ sentiments. “It was nice to get back on the ice with him,” Dal Colle remarked with a smile. “Despite the result on the scoreboard those guys had some physically strong players who could skate and play a high tempo game. I thought it was a good first step for us as a developing team. Tomorrow’s game should be a good challenge as well.”
The 21 year-old Smoskowitz has seven goals and four assists in 13 games with York this season, second in team scoring behind former Brampton Battalion forward Michael Santini who also played in the game on Saturday. “University level hockey is very competitive and everyone takes it really seriously,” said Smoskowitz. “There are a lot of big, strong guys who can skate and the games are usually pretty tight. My time in the OHL has really paid off not only in terms of the experience itself but also with regard to my education now and moving forward.”
OHL graduates Troy Passingham (WSR/SAR), Michael Nishi (WSR/SSM/OTT/GUE) and Chris Perugini (OTT/SSM) had a busy night in goal for the CIS Selects facing a total of 57 shots.
The CIS team consists of players drawn from the University of Toronto Varsity Blues, York University Lions and Ryerson University Rams.
For Saturday’s complete game summary, visit HockeyCanada.ca.
The two teams will face off again on Sunday afternoon at the Mattamy Athletic Centre. Game time is 1:00pm.