NEWS

(pictured - Anthony Repaci looks to lead the Toronto Jr. Canadiens to playoff success during his final season of junior hockey - photo credit:  Shawn Muir/OJHL Images)

Since breaking into the OJHL in 2012, Anthony Repaci has been one of the most dynamic offensive players in the league. The Toronto Jr. Canadians captain came up through the GTHL playing his minor midget season with the Don Mills Flyers before playing two years of midget hockey with the Toronto Young Nationals. 

As a rookie, Repaci opened eyes as an over point-per-game player with 24 goals and 56 points in 54 games. He followed that up in his sophomore season with 35 goals and 67 points in 51 games played. 

This season, the overage forward wears the ‘C’ and is still producing at over a point-per-game pace and with that, his Jr. Canadiens sit fourth in the South Division (as of December 1) and tied for fourth in the South-West Conference. 

In his final season, the third year OJHL veteran is looking to lead his team to a better fate this season, "We went into the season thinking we can have a big run in the playoffs. After a couple games, and seeing how hard we competed in these games, we believed it. We have had some great teams the past couple of seasons and we were knocked out of the first round. This year we truly believe we can go deeper and given how close we are already, we believe we can have that long run we want.”

Despite the lack of recent playoff success,he knows that his teammates are looking at him to help lead the team to that elusive success,
"To be successful with your teammates it is about leading the team on and off the ice. Leading off the ice is just as important as leading the boys on the ice. Whether it is pre game workouts, gym sessions, video, or just keeping all the boys feeling close and as a team, it is just as big as scoring that first goal, or making the hit, or blocking the shot. It just shows that you are willing to play for the guys beside you on the ice or on the bench.”

Knowing that he is an overage player, and someone that rookies will look towards for help in their first junior season, Anthony hasn’t wavered from what has made him successful on the ice. 

“You have to show that it is more than just winning and losing. It is preparation, mental preparation. It is putting in the effort in practices, taking the practices more seriously. I have always believed in practice what you play and if you don’t have some good practices during the week, you won’t be having a good weekend.” 

Despite being placed with the pressure of the letter on his chest, Repaci knows he isn’t alone in the room.
 
“It was an honour to get the 'C' from Mario after deciding to come back for my final season of junior. But it isn’t just me in that room, there are a lot of guys that are leaders. We work well as a unit to help build the team and for me, I just try to step up every night and help the team as much as possible.”

With the upcoming holiday season, the Toronto Jr. Canadiens may be making some moves to help bolster their chances for a long playoff run before the trade deadline in January. Regardless of whether there are additions to the roster, Anthony Repaci has been successfully leading his team in a tough division and tougher conference than any previous year. Not only will he ready his team before they step on the ice, but his leadership will help shape his teammates future as they continue their own hockey journey.

Brandon Sudeyko covers the OJHL South Division for In The O... and more articles by the author can be found at intheoradio.com. In The O...goes beyond conventional coverage of junior hockey providing unprecedented coverage of Minor Midget, OJHL, CCHL and the OHL.