UNDER THE C'S: 'GRANDPA' WEARS NICKNAME WITH PRIDE IN BUFFALO
A series of stories on the team captains in the Ontario Junior Hockey League during the 2017-18 season:
By Ron Valentine
His teammates call him “Grandpa” and the five-year junior hockey veteran gets some ribbing for being the only Ontario-born player on this season's BUFFALO JUNIOR SABRES.
But now in his third year in Buffalo team captain CHRISTIAN DIFELICE (Photo by Shawn Muir / OJHL Images) takes it all in stride. The Thorold native is proud to wear the 'C' for this campaign and looks forward to a season of steady progress for the club. He is feeling his way in his new role but depends on leading by example and being available for his teammates, especially the rookies, whenever necessary. He says that although the club did not get off to a quick start he sees lots of positives especially in their recent results.
Different players are already coming to the forefront in each game, he notes, which is a good sign.
Adjusting to new head coach Nick Tuzzolino has not been a problem, he says. The people behind the bench are always ready to help players who have less experience. The Georgetown Raiders are always tough in the West and they have started like 'hares' but Chris likes the look of his 'tortoises'. The Sabres were in second place in the West just prior to the Christmas break, six points back of the Raiders.
Buffalo is a great place to play hockey with the big ice surface and the other amenities in the NHL Sabres’ practice facility, he says.
He is keeping his options open but NCAA hockey at either level is his main goal. He would like to finish in the League's top 10 scorers to help his profile but he feels he has matured into a more complete player.
