Nathan Gooch of the Pickering Panthers and captain Domenic Della Civita of the Markham Royals participate in the ceremonial puck drop at Markham Centennial Arena Friday. They are joined by Dr. Kevin Koo, Toronto Maple Leaf Zach Hyman and Jennifer Hammond. (Ray MacAloney / OJHL Images)

Ontario Junior Hockey League resident reporter Ron Valentine is profiling the 2019-20 team captains of The OJ this fall.

BY RON VALENTINE

He may be one of the new guys in town but this season's captain of the Markham Royals –  blueliner DOMINIC DELLA CIVITA – is no stranger to the OJHL's North Division. He played for the Newmarket Hurricanes last season after going there from the Cobourg Cougars.

“We all became free agents July 1st,” he said. “So, I had a decision to make but it was really quite easy, after weighing the pros and cons in my mind, knowing the Royals' players and staff and playing against them last season especially in the playoff series where we had a 3-1 lead only to lose in seven.”

Former Hurricane Austin D'Orazio will be joining Dominic on the Royals. It will be his sophomore season.

Assisting Captain Dom will be returnee Ryan Rosborough, newly-acquired Vincent Bonaiauto and veteran Nick Giunta.

“Ryan has really impressed me at training camp and I look for him to have a great year,” he said. “Vincent can score the big goals and brings veteran leadership and Nick (the former Burlington Cougar) really came into his own last season.”

New faces on the team this year will be Newfoundland native Nick Abbott, who already has a Division 1 commit with Canisius, and veteran Kevin Weaver-Vitale, who played last term for the Toronto Patriots and Trenton Golden Hawks.

“I've had some ups and downs in my hockey career so far,” notes Dom, “but last year was pretty good for me and although the team comes first it would be good if I could put up 45 points and get work on the powerplay. We really didn't know what was happening with the Hurricanes until the last game so it was not too much of a distraction. The Royals are really a 'family' I've found that out quickly and we should be in a good position to defend our title.”

“I am a very vocal leader on the ice and I like to try to set the tone for the game and be a good example for the rookies on the team. Really, we don't use the word 'rookie' here in Markham as everyone has an equal voice but hopefully I can help them out when they need it. My role is to make sure all the guys are ready game in and game out.

“We expect good competition again this year (in the North), especially from Pickering, who have added some veteran players to their lineup. And of course Collingwood is a bit of an unknown quantity at this point but I am sure they will play us tough.”

Dominic would love to go a long way this year with this team and realizes that that would also help him in his aspirations for an NCAA Division 1 or 3 scholarship for the 2020-21 season. He might be considered a 'dark horse' by some but he is a hard-working player who deserves rewards. 

Follow Ron Valentine on Twitter @ronandlynda