Julian Demiglio’s excellent 2024 adventure continues.
The second-year Spirit forward, who committed to NCAA Division I RIT in March, is one of 15 Ontario Junior Hockey League players invited to Canada East selection camp in advance of the 2024 Junior A World Challenge, the Canadian Junior Hockey League announced Thursday.
Beginning Dec. 3, the invitees will gather in Calgary to participate in practices and play a pair of intrasquad games as part of the final evaluation process by management and coaching staffs.
The final Canada East and West rosters will be named Dec. 5 in advance of the tournament, which runs from Dec. 9-15 in Camrose, Alberta.
The Canada East roster will be selected from the CJHL’s five eastern leagues: the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League (NOJHL), Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL), Central Canada Hockey League (CCHL), Ligue de hockey junior AAA du Québec (LHJAAAQ) and Maritime Hockey League (MHL).
“It feels amazing – I’m just so pumped,” the Richmond Hill resident said. “I’m extremely excited to get the chance to represent Canada. To wear the logo is such an honour.”
“Thank you to the Stouffville coaching staff and upper management for giving me all the opportunities I’ve had and providing me with everything I’ve needed. I’m having so much fun playing on our team this year. We battle every game.”
Demiglio, known for his dogged worth ethic and speed game, has 27 points in 28 games this season.
“Happy for Julian to have the opportunity. Well deserved,” said Spirit Head Coach TJ Hill. “He competes every night, in every zone, with and without the puck. He is a character kid and a great player. He is a huge part of our team on and off the ice.”
Demiglio and teammates David Paglia and Max Davidson represented the Spirit at the Battle of Ontario – an OJHL vs CCHL all-star and prospect event – this month.
Another 2024 highlight?
Julian, 18, and younger brother Lucas,16, a minor hockey affiliate player on the Spirit roster, have played two OJHL regular season games together this season.
JERSEY NIGHT SATURDAY
The Spirit will host youth hockey nights Nov. 30 and Dec. 12. Boys and girls wearing their local youth hockey jerseys will be admitted free of charge. Bring the entire team!
SPIRITED PARADE
Look for the Spirit players in the Stouffville Santa Claus Parade on Saturday, Dec. 7, from 6 p.m. Thanks to Scott Burrows of Farmer Jack’s for driving our big, ‘Spirited’ truck. The parade route travels along Main Street, from Ninth Line to Park Drive, through downtown Stouffville.
SCHOOL DAYS
Our Spirit in the Schools program kicks off shortly. Look for an announcement regarding two upcoming special events.
TOSSING TEDDIES
The Spirit will host its first-ever Teddy Bear Toss on Thursday, Dec. 12. The Spirit hosts the Aurora Tigers at the Stouffville Arena in its only home game during December that night. Game time is 7:30 p.m. In Teddy Bear Toss tradition, after the Spirit scores its first goal that night, fans will be invited to throw stuffed animals onto the ice surface. The stuffies will be collected and presented to the Lions Club of Stouffville for its annual toy drive.
If you don’t have a bear, you can purchase one that night from the Spirit. All proceeds will go to the Lions.
- Representatives from Stouffville’s Boston Pizza will be in the arena lobby that night collecting toys for the Lions drive at the Spirit’s Community Table.
- During the pregame, from 6:50 to 7:20 p.m., Stouffville recording artist Sofia Marie will sing Christmas songs in the lobby before performing the anthem on the ice.
THE SCHEDULE
The Spirit (14-11-0-3) are in sixth place in the tightly-contested 12-team East Conference of the OJHL.
Lindsay at Stouffville, Nov. 30, 7:30 p.m.
Stouffville at North York, Dec. 3, 4:30 p.m.
All games broadcast on 102.9FM whistlefm.ca radio and FloHockey TV https://www.flohockey.tv/leagues/10826657-ontario-junior-hockey-league-ojhl (subscription required).
THE SCORES
Nov. 22, Wellington 4, Stouffville 1.
A pair of power-play goals gave Wellington a 2-0 lead after one period. Riley Pope’s 12th of the season cut the deficit to one goal early in the second.
Nov. 21, Toronto Jr. Canadiens 3, Stouffville 1
Another ‘one-goal’ loss for the home team with the winner coming with 4:06 remaining in regulation. The visiting Jr. Canadiens added an empty-netter.
Pope scored for the Spirit.
Spirit This Week is sponsored by Farmer Jack’s in Stouffville and Sharon.
