BROOKS, AB (May 7, 2016) – The 2015-16 Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL) champion Brooks Bandits are pleased to announce the commitment of 1998-born defenceman David D’Agostino (Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON) to their program for the 2016-17 AJHL season.
D’Agostino, 18, recently completed his second season with the Thorold Blackhawks of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League (GOJHL), where this past season he ranked second on his team in scoring with 33 points (13 goals, 20 assists) in 49 games, adding 3 more points (1 goal, 2 assists) in 4 playoff games.
“David is a smart two-way defenceman that will add scoring and strength to our back end,” said Bandits head coach and general manager Ryan Papaioannou. “He is coming off of a great season with Thorold and, after having the chance to see him play in the playoffs and at our spring camp, I am confident he fits everything we are looking for from an on ice perspective.
Prior to this season, D’Agostino scored 10 points (2 goals, 8 assists) in 39 games for Thorold in the 2014-15 campaign. The 5’10”, 180lb defenceman is a graduate of the Niagara North Stars minor midget AAA squad.
“Off the ice David is mature beyond his years and will make an immediate leadership impact as a rookie this season,” Papaioannou added. “He is also a bright student and his NCAA future will have many open doors. We are looking forward to his arrival in Brooks for our summer camp.”
D’Agostino was also selected to participate in the most recent GOJHL Top Prospects Game.
“I'm thrilled to be a part of the Bandits organization,” said D’Agostino. “There's no other place I'd want to be; I already love the town of Brooks and the atmosphere is unbelievable.
“I'm extremely excited to get started and thankful for this opportunity,” he added.
D’Agostino is the ninth player committed to the Bandits for 2016-17, joining 1997-born forward Tyler Nyman (Centerville, MN) of Centennial High School, 1998-born defenceman Dennis Cesana (North Providence, RI) of Kimball Union Academy, 1998-born defenceman Devon Daniels (Thunder Bay, ON) of Gilmour Academy, 1997-born forward Nicholas Hamre (Cumberland, ON) of Kimball Union Academy, 1997-born forward Tyler Carangelo (Hamden, CT) of Avon Old Farms, 1998-born forward Arnaud Vachon (Ajax, ON) of The Hill Academy, 1997-born defenceman Josh Gagne (Caledon, ON) of The Gunnery, and 1997-born forward Oliver Chau (Oakville, ON) of Northfield Mount Hermon.