New School Deal with SMCS
St. Michael’s College School Announces
New Deal with Jr. A Buzzers
January 29, 2014 – St. Michael’s College School is proud to announce it has signed a new 10-year deal with the ownership of the St. Michael’s Buzzers Jr. A Hockey Club
The new partnership will strengthen the development model for the school’s student-athletes making full use of the St. Michael’s varsity hockey programme to develop qualified players to reach the Jr. A level.
“We look forward to a renewed affiliation with the Buzzers programme and growing a player development model we believe in,” said Terence Sheridan, school President and Principal. “Our tradition of excellence in hockey is something that must inspire us to be better. We remain passionately committed to developing our students to reach their potential in the classroom and on the ice in an environment where character matters.”
The Buzzers Jr. A franchise, under General Manager & Head Coach Rich Ricci, are fresh off a 2013 OJHL/OHF championship season. The team is owned and operated independently from the school by a group of alumni and passionate hockey businessmen. Through this agreement, the Buzzers have made a strong commitment to work directly with the school to develop its student-hockey players.
“The goal is to have as many SMCS students play for the Buzzers as possible,” said Mike McCarron, President of the
St. Michael’s Buzzers. “Our development model is guided by a set of values that both the school and the Buzzers believe in. This new agreement places a renewed focus on developing St. Mike’s boys through a streamlined hockey programme.”
As part of the new deal, Varsity Majors Head Coach Chris DePiero will work with the Buzzers in an effort to develop and promote his players to the next level. After spending seven seasons with the Buzzers as Coach and General Manager, including back-to back OPJHL championships in 2005 and 2006, DePiero graduated to the Ontario Hockey League where he spent six years as Coach and General Manager of the Oshawa Generals. In the summer of 2012, DePiero returned to St. Michael’s College School as a member of its teaching faculty and coach of the renewed varsity hockey programme. Last year, DePiero accepted a part-time role as amateur scout for the NHL’s Pittsburgh Penguins.
The Majors programme was restructured in the summer of 2012 to provide a higher level of competition and exposure for players interested in prep school hockey. Now, in its second season the Majors (20-12-3) look forward to future success in conjunction with the renewed relationship with the Buzzers.
For more information, please contact:
Michael De Pellegrin
Director of Communications
416-653-3180 x292 or md@smcsmail.com
