“David also developed into a great leader in his time here, really maturing into one of the best human beings to ever wear our sweater.”
Captain David Paglia of the Ontario Junior Hockey League’s Stouffville Spirit has confirmed his commitment to join the Wilfrid Laurier University Golden Hawks in Waterloo, ON beginning with the 2025-26 season.
The big defenceman was voted the OJHL’s 2025 Humanitarian of the Year. He was selected to represent the league in the inaugural OJHL-OUA series in January all-star team and in the Battle of Ontario all-star tournament with the Central Canada Hockey League in November,
A native of King City, Paglia signed in Stouffville in 2022 from the now-defunct Richmond Hill Coyotes AAA organization.
Following seasons of six and 16 points, he broke through with 45 points (10 goals/35 assists) in 2024-25
“I am nothing but grateful to have had such a wonderful experience playing for the Stouffville Spirit,” Paglia told the OJHL. “I was lucky to have a great coaching staff to grow under. Having TJ Hill for all three years of my junior career really helped me develop into the player I am today. His OJHL Coach of the Year award really says it all. TJ would do whatever it takes to help his players on and off the ice. I’ve never had a coach have so much passion for a team and our whole roster would agree.
“Walking into the dressing room for the last three years is definitely something that will stay with me for the rest of my life along with the great friendships I’ve made along the way.”
“Walking into the dressing room for the last three years is definitely something that will stay with me for the rest of my life along with the great friendships I’ve made along the way.”
The Golden Hawks offered a perfect combination to Paglia.
“Choosing Laurier was a no-brainer for me,” he said. “They have a great hockey program, with a staff that believes in my potential, and I look forward to continuing my development as a hockey player and starting my educational journey studying kinesiology for the next four years.”
The Spirit hockey staff sings the praises of Paglia.
“We are thrilled that Pags is getting an opportunity to play at the next level,” Hill said. “He was a horse for us all year and his leadership and commitment to excellence was a major factor in our team success this year. On top of all that, he is an outstanding human being off the ice. I couldn’t be happier for him. We know he will have an outstanding U SPORTS career and Laurier will be a better place with David Paglia on campus.”
“David was an absolute pleasure to have here for three years,” said Spirit Assistant General Manager Thayne Hallyburton. “His progression every season was enormous and really proved how much work he put in each off-season. David also developed into a great leader in his time here, really maturing into one of the best human beings to ever wear our sweater.”
Spirit players making commitments in the past year include:
| Andoni Fimis | London (OHL), Vermont (D1), 2025 | |||
| Julian Demiglio | RIT (D1), 2026. Brampton (OHL), 2025 | |||
| Brady Smith | Sudbury (OHL), 2025 | |||
| Tayjon Street | Sudbury (OHL), 2025 | |||
| Riley Clark | Kingston (OHL), 2025 | |||
| Max Davidson | Clarkson (DI) | |||
| Ivan Mentiukov | Clarkson (DI) | |||
| Josh Bonnyman | Flint (OHL), 2025 | |||
| Lachlan Wells | TMU (U SPORTS), 2025 | |||
| David Paglia | Laurier (U SPORTS), 2025 | |||
OJHL alumni on Laurier’s roster last season included: Tyler Davis (Markham, Aurora, Brantford), Conor Ali, Ryan Mulholland (Brantford), Tristan Malboeuf (Oakville), Callum Chisholm (Pickering, Newmarket), Dylan DiTomaso (St. Michael’s, Georgetown), Brenden Anderson (Toronto Jr. Canadiens, Brantford),Ryan Pryce (Georgetown), Isaac Sooklal (Haliburton County/Whitby), Evan Benwell (Burlington, Toronto Patriots), Patrick Brown (Collingwood), Lucas Chard (Leamington, Toronto Jr. Canadiens), Nick Giunta (Markham, Burlington), Kallaway Mercer and Tyler Hunt (Cobourg), Thomas Lenart (Burlington), Sam Williamson (Trenton, Collingwood), Justin O’Donnell (Milton) and Bryce Sutherland (Collingwood, St. Michael’s, Georgetown, Burlington).
Laurier Head Coach Kevin Forrest has coached in the OJHL with Trenton, Aurora and the Toronto Jr. Canadiens.
