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Laleggia’s star on the rise in Major Midget

Joey Laleggia is a 16-year old defenceman playing for the 2009 B.C. Major Midget League Champion Vancouver North West Giants. But the extent of his hockey success doesn’t end there.

Apart from being captain of the team that will represent B.C. against the Alberta Major Midget League champs this season, Laleggia was also an affiliate player with the British Columbia Hockey League’s Penticton Vees.

Though he was only called up for two games with the BCHL club this season, he made quite the first impression and he’ll be joining the Penticton squad on a full time basis next season. According to Vees head coach Fred Harbinson the number one reason why Laleggia stood out over so many Junior A hopefuls in both Midget and Junior B hockey is his hockey sense.

“He’s one of the smartest players,” says Laleggia’s head coach to-be. “He sees the ice well and is offensively gifted. He’s not the biggest player on the ice but he makes up for it with intelligence.”

“Fans are going to see a player who competes hard every game. Any mistakes he makes will be while he’s giving 100 per cent.”

Leading all Major Midget defencemen in points while finishing third overall in the Giants point race this season, Laleggia caught the eyes of scouting staffs, and not only in the BCHL but from NCAA Division I schools as well. As a result, his step up to Junior A hockey next season is just the tip of the iceberg. At the ripe age of 16, Laleggia has already committed to the NCAA Division I New Hampshire Wildcats for the 2011/12 season.

“We pride ourselves here with teaching players how to win and compete but also how to get ready for the next level,” says Harbinson. “All the players that I’ve seen move on have been successful. We want him to be a contributing factor on New Hampshire’s blueline.”

But despite all that’s on his plate in upcoming seasons, Laleggia is focused on the upcoming Pacific Regionals against an Alberta foe that will take place April 3rd to 5th in Burnaby – and Harbinson would expect nothing less.

“Right now the goal in mind is winning with his major midget team and we support him.”

Jon Calvano, head coach of the Vancouver North West Giants, says that playing with the Vees and committing to New Hampshire has added confidence to Laleggia’s already loaded arsenal of attributes.

“He’s been overlooked before because of his size but with his focus and commitment he’s become a better and stronger player,” says Calvano of the five-foot-ten, 160-pound defenceman.

Because of his leadership role on the team, Calvano thinks that Laleggia will have a strong presence and be an important contributor when it comes time to square off against Alberta’s best — especially since he’s an experienced second-year player, who saw disappointment last season when his team was knocked out of the playoffs during semi-finals.

This year’s best of three Pacific Regionals will be held at the Burnaby Winter Club starting Friday, April 3rd at 7 pm. The second game is scheduled for Saturday at 7 pm and the third, if necessary, for Sunday at 2 pm.