NEWS

The OJHL announced today that Pickering Panthers forward Matt Galati (photo credit - Gary Keys/OJHL Images) has been named the Gongshow Gear North-East Conference Player-of-the-Month for September after a high-scoring month that saw him record nine goals and 15 points in nine games played.

The four year OJHL veteran has made an immediate impact during his return to the Panthers, sitting tied for the team lead in scoring, as well as tied for third overall in the OJHL with his 15 points during September.  Galati paced the impressive Panthers start to the season by recording nine goals, of which seven came in back-to-back games, scoring all four goals during a 5-4 loss to Whitby and following that up with a hat trick, four point performance, in an 8-6 win over Stouffville.  One of the big reasons for Pickering’s early season success was their power play, led by Galati, who notched five of his nine goals with the man advantage to take the early lead among OJHL players.

“It is an honour to be recognized as Player-of-the-Month for September,” said the Panthers star winger.  “Looking back on some of the great players that have won the award over the years, it feels awesome to be recognized on the same level as some those guys.  I want to thank the OJHL for their selection, my linemates Andrew McCann and Aiden Wallace, all my teammates, as well as the Pickering Panthers organization, as they've been a huge part of my success this month.  I'm looking forward to a successful season with this group of guys.”

Panthers General Manager & Head Coach Mike Galati discussed his organization’s pride in the selection, “Matt has been huge for us.  He has been a big part of any success we've had thus far, scoring big goals, as well as being a leader on and off the ice.  He has had a great start to the season and we look forward to many more successful months.  The Pickering Panthers are proud to have September's Player-of-the-Month.”

Felix Chamberland of the Lindsay Muskies was runner-up to Galati as the OJHL North-East Conference Player-of-the-Month.  Chamberland recorded 10 points in six games played to lead his club in scoring, including five power play points.
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Born on May 20, 1992, Matt Galati grew up in Toronto and is a product of the Toronto Red Wings GTHL minor hockey program.  Following a successful season with the Red Wings in 2007-08, Galati was selected by the Oshawa Generals in the 8th round, 256th overall, of the 2008 OHL Priority Selection.

Following a successful minor hockey career, Galati made the jump to junior hockey in 2009-10 as a 17-year old member of the Upper Canada Patriots.  After scoring his first goal during his first junior game versus Streetsville, the rookie went on to post 13 goals and 23 points in 42 games played, including a team high five power play markers.

The next season saw Galati join the Streetsville Derbys where his high-scoring ways continued, leading the club in scoring for the majority of the season and finishing with 19 goals and 49 points, including five game winners, before a trade deadline deal saw him move on to the perennial contending Newmarket Hurricanes.  Not getting the minutes he was used to, Galati saw his production drop while in Newmarket as the club captured the regular season championship before being upset by Stouffville in the playoffs.

With a change in scenery required once again, it was off to Pickering to start last season.  But after posting six goals and 15 points in 22 games played, the high-flying winger was shipped off to the Toronto Jr. Canadiens, where he helped their push to a playoff spot in the South Division standings.  Galati notched another 23 points in Toronto, finishing the year as the club’s fourth leading scorer with 12 goals and 38 points.  He then posted another seven points in nine playoffs games as the Jr. Canadiens upset North York before falling to the Division-leading St. Michael’s Buzzers in the Division Semi-Final.

Returning to Pickering this season with a renewed sense of optimism for a successful season both individually and as a club, Galati joins older brother Mike, who returns behind the bench as the Panthers Head Coach and General Manager.  Thus far, the team has not disappointed, tasting early season success in a tough North Division, thanks in large part to the play of their star forward.

About Gongshow Hockey, Inc.
In late 2002, three teammates from the Central Junior ‘A’ Hockey League celebrated a big win at a local Ottawa pub called Fathers and Sons.  A few cold ones later, and inspired by the distinct lifestyle hockey players lived, they had an idea to make some buckets with Gongshow Hockey stitched on the front for their hockey buddies to rock around town.

Slowly but surely, word began to spread through tight-knit hockey circles about a brand that accurately represented what hockey players were all about.  Soon, the lads found themselves teamed up with a roster of players united through their love and passion for the hockey lifestyle that they lived.

Today, the GSH boys feel excited and privileged to be part of such a powerful team that shares the goal of enjoying and spreading the Gongshow Lifestyle to hockey players all around the world…

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