Stouffville Spirit forward Julian Demiglio has committed to an NCAA Division I scholarship offer from Rochester Institute of Technology in Rochester, NY for 2026.
The 17-year-old from neighbouring Richmond Hill had 38 points (16 goals/22 assists) during 55 games in his rookie season in the Ontario Hockey League. He added three assists in the Spirit’s four playoff games this month.
That caught the attention of NCAA scouts who zeroed in on the flashy forward late in the season. RIT Associate Coach Brian Hills watched Demiglio in a playoff game at the Stouffville Arena last week.
Demglio and his parents visited RIT last weekend, including taking in a playoff victory by the Tigers.
“It was just a great overall experience,” Demiglio said. “It was fantastic. RIT has given me a great opportunity.”
The Grade 12 student at Bill Crothers Secondary School in Unionville is the poster boy for development in the Spirit system. He played his U16 season with the Toronto Nationals followed by one year with the Toronto Marlboro U18 team.
“We have had Julian in our program since his U16 season three seasons ago and have watched him develop,” said Thayne Hallyburton, the Spirit’s Assistant General Manager and Director of Hockey Operations. “The summer between U16 and U18 for him was massive, where his body caught up to his skill and he started to really develop.”
“Julian also has a fire in him on the ice that makes him special. He’s a hard-working, athletic player with elite skill and a mental toughness that is unmatched: Lethal combination. We are excited to watch his progression as we move into next season. Fans will get their money’s worth by coming out to watch him play in September.”
At 5-foot-10, 172 pounds, Demiglio fits right in at the Jr. A level.
It hasn’t always been that way.
“I am a bit of a late bloomer,” said Demiglio. “During my minor hockey career, I was always a small, small guy. When I was 5-4ish, everyone else was around 5-10 or 6-foot. It’s always been a battle. Players go through adversity, but I feel like I’ve overcome that.”
His season with the Spirit has been memorable.
“It’s been a great experience playing in Stouffville,” Demiglio said. “The coaches, the players and the upper staff made the transition to junior very, very smooth. Every day in junior has been a new experience and I’m just extremely thrilled for the future.”
Demiglio is the third Spirit player to make a commitment this season:
- Andoni Fimis committed to NCAA Division I Vermont in November
- Nolan Jackson signed with the Sudbury Wolves, the Spirit’s Ontario Hockey League affiliate, last fall.
RIT has a long history of recruiting star players from the Ontario Junior Hockey league, highlighted by Dallas Stars defenceman Chris Tanev (Durham Fury, Stouffville Spirit, Markham Waxers).
Another former Spirit defenceman, Daniel Spivak, played four years at RIT following four seasons in Stouffville.
OJHL grads on this year’s RIT roster include: Ryan Nicholson (Oakville Blades), Dimitri Mikrogiannakis (Newmarket Hurricanes), Elijah Gonsalves (Pickering Panthers, Aurora Tigers, Wellington Dukes), Evan Miller (Wellington), Gianfranco Cassaro, Matthew Wilde, Tyler Fukakusa and Christian Catalano (Toronto Jr. Canadiens) and Crossley Stewart (Burlington Cougars, Toronto Patriots).
Photo by Ed McPherson of OJHL Images
