Firebirds Receive Commitment from Defenseman Luca D'Amato
Published on May 28, 2020 under Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Flint Firebirds News Release
Flint, Mich. - The Flint Firebirds announced today that defenseman Luca D'Amato (pronounced Duh-matt-oh) has committed to an Ontario Hockey League Standard Player Agreement and education package with the Firebirds.
"We are happy to announce that Luca and his family have committed to Flint," said Flint Firebirds Vice President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Barclay Branch. "Luca is a dynamic player that works hard and is a fierce competitor. He likes to push the pace of the game and is an all-around skilled defenseman. We look forward to having Luca in the Firebirds organization moving forward."
D'Amato, a native of Maple, Ont., was selected by the Firebirds in the fifth-round (86th overall) of the 2020 OHL Priority Selection andÃÂ becomesÃÂ the fifth player to already commit to Flint this offseason. The 5-foot-8, 145-pound right defenseman recorded 24 points (10G, 14A) in just 36 games with the Vaughan Kings Minor Midget AAA Hockey Club, en-route to leading the Kings as finalists in the prestigious Greater Toronto Hockey League (GTHL). Also recognized as a leader, D'Amato was voted as Vaughan's assistant captain during the 2018-19 season.
"From the start of my hockey career, I've always wanted to play in the OHL," said D'Amato. "It's an honor to sign with a first-class organization like Flint. Everyone has been so welcoming and supportive. I'm looking forward to arriving in Flint and getting to work."
D'Amato's older brother, Daniel, currently plays in the OHL for the Erie (Penn.) Otters. Luca will wear number 3 for the Firebirds.
About The Flint Firebirds:
The Flint Firebirds are a proud member of the prestigious 20-teamÃÂ Ontario Hockey League. The OHL is one of three leagues that constitute the 60-team Canadian Hockey League (CHL), which is known as the world's premiere player development league for the NHL. On NHL opening day rosters in October, 70% of NHL players were CHL alums. Since the Firebirds' inception inÃÂ Flint, MichiganÃÂ five seasons ago, the team has producedÃÂ 18 NHL signed or drafted players. More thanÃÂ 250 scouts representing all 31 NHL clubsÃÂ attended a Firebirds game in Flint throughout the 2019-20 season. The Firebirds average nearly 3,000 fans per game at the newly renovatedÃÂ Dort Federal Credit Union Event Center, reaching over 100,000 fans each OHL season.
Ontario Hockey League Stories from May 28, 2020
- Firebirds Receive Commitment from Defenseman Luca D'Amato - Flint Firebirds
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