SPAGNUOLO COMMITS TO MERCYHURST
Dante Spagnuolo of the Toronto Patriots (photo credit – Andy Corneau/OJHL Images) has confirmed his commitment to join the NCAA Division 1 Mercyhurst University Lakers in Erie, PA, beginning with the 2019-20 season.
“Mercyhurst were one of two or three schools that were highly interested in me, and telling me that they were studying me,” Spagnuolo told Jamie Neugebauer of the Patriots website.
“When I went down to visit earlier in the (month), I really liked the campus. It’s a smaller school, which I really liked myself, and it just seemed like a really good fit for me. Meeting with the staff, I got to meet some of the players too, and it just seemed like a great group of guys, and a fun place to play.
“I was talking to Coach Greg Gardner, who seems to know me inside and out as a player, and I felt like we really had a good connection,” he added.
“When we talked about expectations, what he sees me doing at the next level, it was kind of the same to how I see myself, and when you have that same understanding of expectations on yourself as your coach, it makes it easier to play for him. So, I thought about it for a week, and it just kind of fit. I am very happy and honoured to accept the offer of Mercyhurst.”
Spagnuolo becomes the fourth Patriot to receive a Division I commitment this season, joining Andrew Petrucci (RIT), Colton Kalezic (Northern Michigan University), and Lee Lapid (Canisius College).
The native of Newmarket was named the Kewl South-West Conference Player-of-the-Month for December after accumulating 22 points in 12 games.
In his second season with the Patriots, the 19-year-old has become an assist machine. He leads the OJHL in helpers (65) and is third in points (88).
After his minor midget season with the York-Simcoe Express, Spagnuolo resident played two years of midget AAA with the Richmond Hill, tallying campaigns of 63 and then 90 points.
He played seven games as a midget affiliate with the OJHL’s Aurora Tigers in 2015-16 and one game the next year with the Trenton Golden Hawks before joining the Patriots.
Congratulations to Dante and best of luck in the NCAA!
-with files from the Toronto Patriots
