By Kenton Wolfe | December 16th, 2017

2000-born forward Jaleel Adams and defenseman Tristin de Jong have been select to represent the St. Catharines Falcons at the GOJHL Top Prospects game in Ancaster on December 28th, joining 2001-born forward Carson Eden and defenseman Arber Xhekaj who will be playing the GOJHL Future Stars game on the same date.

The quartet will join 76 of their peers, selected as the top players aged 16 to 18 playing in the GOJHL.

 Both games will be played at the Morgan Firestone Arena, with the Future Stars game played first at 3 p.m., followed by a 6:30 p.m. showing of the Top Prospects.

Falcons head Coach Dan Fitzgerald stressed the player’s selected were great players – regardless of their age.

“All four have been big contributors to our team this year,” said Fitzgerald. “With the way the rules are now, you can’t win if your young guys aren’t able to play meaningful minutes for you. These guys don’t just play meaningful minutes, they play impactful minutes.”

Adams, playing in his first full-season as a Falcon has 8 goals and 20 points through the first 31 games of the season. He graduated from the Niagara North Stars Midget AAA minor hockey program. Adams is originally from Niagara Falls.

“Jaleel is a hard-working, skilled right winger who has grown into a reliable penalty killer on top of all the great things he does offensively,” said Fitzgerald “Which includes the ability to stick handle in a phone booth.”

De Jong is also in his first season as a member of the Falcons, but his second campaign as a junior player. He was acquired from the Cambridge Winter Hawks, where de Jong scored 9 points in 49 games. The young defenseman has already surpassed his previous total, scoring 14 points through 32 games this season. De Jong is a graduate of his hometown’s minor hockey program, the Waterloo Wolves AAA.

“Tristan is a big, smooth skating, highly skilled defenceman who plays in all situations for us,” said Fitzgerald. “Playing in his second GOJHL Prospects Weekend, he will undoubtedly be a marquee player on the 28th.”

Eden is a first year-Falcon and has scored 6 goals and 13 points through 22 games. His physical play has made him a fan-favourite in St. Catharines. Despite being born in Thorold, his is a graduate of the Hamilton Jr. Bulldogs Minor Midget AAA progam.

“Carson is a fearless, hard-nosed, hard-hitting left winger who has real estate in the mind of every defenceman he plays against,” said Fitzgerald. “With a heavy shot and great hands, he’s a threat to opponents in multiple ways.”

Xhekaj, the youngest player on the Falcons roster, is a native of Hamilton. He is in his rookie season for the Falcons after graduating from the Mississauga Senators minor midget AAA program. His 17 points through 32 games places him second among all St. Catharines defenseman in scoring.

“Arber is a great story,” said Fitzgerald. “An undrafted, 16-year-old defenceman who thrives off the physical parts of the game, but who also has the skill and creativity to hurt you when he has the puck.”

Proceeds from both games will go to the Frank Santarossa Scholarship Fund provides financial assistance to students playing in the GOJHL. Children under 12-year-old gain free entry to the game when wearing a team jersey and accompanied by an adult.