NEWS

Photo: Alessio Luciani of the Markham Royals celebrates the goal during the first period on March 29 at Markham Centennial Arena. (Photo by Tim Bates / OJHL Images)

Article courtesy OJHL

Make room at the Luciani household in Woodbridge for another Ontario Junior Hockey League trophy.

Alessio Luciani of the Markham Royals is the 2018-19 recipient of the Most Improved Player of the Year award in the league. The award was voted on by a panel of league general managers and media reps who cover the league.

Luciani, who had 76 points (31 goals/45 assists) during 54 regular-season games, had already been crowned king of the scoring race in the 22-team league. Included were seven game-winning goals and nine shorthanded.

Now 20, he joined Markham from Whitecourt of the Alberta junior league during the 2017-18 season, netting 32 points in 30 games.

“It’s an honour,” he said of the improvement award. “I put in a lot of work during the summer to put myself in this position. I’m glad it’s paying off.”

Luciani attributes the improvement to a training regime he embraced a year ago. OJHL/OHL graduate Thomas Kiriakou of TK Sports Performance Training in Markham had him concentrate on speed and strength, not getting larger.

Unlike almost every other OJHL player, the Woodbridge native never played a game of AAA hockey. The endless number of cuts from team tryouts – “too many times to count” – were at least consistent.

“Was told I was too small … couldn’t make it because of my size… But I wasn’t given a chance…,” he said.

The rejections continued at the junior level until he won a spot on the St. Mary’s Lincolns Jr. B team as an 18-year-old.

“Alessio took a huge step forward in his hockey career this season,” said Markham Head Coach and General Manager Mike Galati. “He was a leader on and off the ice for us, earning an assistant captain role.”

“He’s a dynamic player that can skate well and make plays at top speed. He’s used in all situations of a game. He is well-liked by his teammates and by the staff. We are very happy to be a part of his development and watching him grow into an elite junior hockey player.”

About the only item missing from his resume is a college commitment. Recruiters told him they wanted to see how he performed in the OJHL playoffs. After 15 postseason games, he’s third in the league in points (17) and assists (12).

Garrett Pyke of the Oakville Blades was voted runner-up as most improved player. The forward-turned-defenceman jumped from 19 points in 2017-18 to 55 (12 goals/43 assists) this season. He was also runner-up in defenceman-of the-year voting. College recruiters took note, too. The 19-year-old has an NCAA Division 1 commitment to Alaska Fairbanks for this fall.

The Blades and Royals are tied 1-1 in the North/West Conference championship series. Game 3 is scheduled for tonight in Oakville.

Luciani and other OJHL trophy winners will be honoured at a ceremony during the OJHL championship series.