OHL Kitchener Rangers

Spotlight: Antonino Pugliese

Published on October 19, 2023 under Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Kitchener Rangers News Release


"I've gone through a lot of adversity in my life. Adversity is nothing new to me. I've had surgeries, two in the last year to be exact, but I haven't allowed that to hold me back. I know where I come from, I was never given anything in life without working hard for it."

Hardship has been a prominent aspect in the life of veteran Antonio Pugliese, who has challenged adversity every step of the way. Always surrounded by sports, Pugliese grew up in Hammertown, otherwise known as Hamilton, Ontario, where his passion transpired on the soccer field rather than in the hockey arena. Despite playing house league with his cousin as a kid, it wasn't until he turned the age of nine that he began to take hockey seriously.

When his focus shifted to the rink, Pugliese was never the most skillful player on the ice, but his game was reflective of his attitude on life; hard-working and motivated, which he has credited to his success today.

"I played house league with my cousin, I was better at soccer at the time, but at the age of nine I started to get good with AAA coaches asking me to try out for their teams and I never looked back."

From his minor hockey playing days split between time with the Hamilton Huskies and the Hamilton Jr. Bulldogs on the AAA level for numerous seasons, Pugliese has had to persevere through thick and thin to reach the OHL level.Whether it was being cut from minor hockey teams, or continually counted out due to his playstyle, his hockey career has been full of ups and downs that have left him "gutted and disappointed". Despite this, Pugliese was persistent in going the distance.

Adversity has held a presence in his life in numerous ways, but none more difficult than when his little brother, Giacomo, was diagnosed with Cancer at a very early age. Pugliese recalls countless moments throughout his career when he felt discouraged to work hard, to step away from the grind, but he always remembers who he does it for, his "why".

"I've been cut from minor hockey teams but none come close to the adversity my family endured with my brother being sick at a young age. That is something that motivates me every day. It made me stronger and that's something that has stuck with me. Even on those days you don't want to work, just think back to your why and that is my why."

These experiences have shaped him into the player he is today, it's what he deems to be his "motivation". One thing coaches and teammates admire about him is his dedication to playing his game, which is put on full display through a rigid and persistent playstyle. Pugliese stands at 5'9 but plays like he is 6'5, his tenacity is showcased in the corners of the ice where he likes to get his hands dirty. Playing with a chip on his shoulder, this mindset contributed heavily to the Kitchener Rangers selecting him 277th overall in the 14th round in a moment that will forever live on in the Pugliese household.

Despite not being drafted to his hometown team, the Hamilton Bulldogs, he was grateful to be in the position to succeed at the most elite level, showcasing to his brother and other siblings that "anything is possible".

"It was a long day because a lot of things can happen. I had to get out of the house three or four times and when it got to the tenth or eleventh round, I thought I wasn't going to be drafted. I was thinking what am I going to do with my life? Then pick 277 came around, I wasn't really watching but my dad just jumped on me and we both started crying. I'll never forget that day and I'm just grateful to be selected to this great organization."

From wondering what he was going to do in his life, to now living out his dream, the sky's the limit for Pugliese. After playing in a combined 69 games over his first two seasons, battling through the injury bug last year, Pugliese is keen on taking his game to the next level and striving to be a "top guy" for the Blueshirts this season. As a generally younger group, he is seeking to take on a leadership role and be a mentor to "help the team tremendously this year" through his presence in front of the net.

Kicking off the 2023-24 season, the Rangers were off to a perfect 2-0 start, and Pugliese has found success early, amounting to 3 points in 2 games, including a game-winning goal in the home opener against Saginaw. With success comes the theory of superstitions, and Pugliese is incredibly superstitious. As they say, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it"

"I have a lot of superstitions. If I have a good game I will do everything the exact same the very next day. Everything from what I wear to what I eat to a certain time."

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Ontario Hockey League Stories from October 19, 2023


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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