Earlier this week our audience was introduced to Red Deer Rebels forward Grayson Pawlenchuk.
Today, another Edmonton area product has submitted his first entry to his season long draft blog. St.Albert native Matteo Gennaro of the Prince Albert Raiders is now in year two of his WHL career and took the time to introduce himself. His blog is after the jump.
Hi,
My name is Matteo Gennaro and I am 17 years old, playing my second season with the Prince Albert Raiders.
I am from a
city, just a few minutes north of Edmonton, called St. Albert. Growing up there
was great, because St. Albert is a bit of a “hockey town.” Although raised
there, I actually lived my first 4 years in Edmonton, so I began playing my
Initiation hockey for the Edm. Knights of Columbus at the age of 3. My mom says
that I would still need “naps” back then. We have pictures, but most of what I
remember is that I scored my first goal on my own net. By the age of 4, I have
been told that I was already showing a strong passion for the game, never
complaining about early ice slots, practicing a skill until I got it, and
always excited and ready to go.
Moving back
to St. Albert, I signed up with SAMHA, and began skating with friends
and coaches that I am still in contact with today.
My next two years of hockey at the Atom level were very
successful. We won a Tier1 Championship,
a Provincial Championship, Minor Hockey Week, and a few other tournaments.
Finishing second year Atom, I was invited to try out for Team Brick, a team
comprised of the top players in Alberta. As captain, I learned a lot and enjoyed
getting to play with old rival players I used to face during winter and spring
seasons.
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| Photo: St. Albert Gazette |
At this point, it was becoming clear that hockey was really
important to me, and something at which I excelled. I played two strong years
at PeeWee as a ‘AA’ St. Albert Saint.
As the competition level of hockey I played increased, I
increased my level of commitment to the sport during off season and summers
with fitness and skill training. Fortunately my dad was able to put me in
different programs, with good trainers and coaches, and I was always able to train
with guys I knew and older, higher level players. I liked the challenge. First
year Bantam, I played for the ‘AAA’ St. Albert Sabres, winning a well played
tournament in Abbottsford, B.C. Second
year, we enjoyed playing in tournaments like Medicine Hat and the John Reid. I
was selected 41st overall to the Prince Albert Raiders in the
Western Hockey League bantam draft.
I played one year of Midget AAA Hockey with the St. Albert
Sports Raiders. That year seemed to go by quickly, finishing first in our division,
and playing in the Mac’s Tournament, losing out in the quarter finals to the
Saskatoon Blazers.
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| Photo: St.Albert Gazette |
During that Midget season, I was selected to play in the U16
Tournament for Team Alberta. It was a great experience for me, our team taking
home Silver. It was a good “eye opener,” highlighting some elite players from
Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and British Columbia. I liked the feel of
competing at a broader level.
Next for me was an invite to the U17 Team Pacific summer try
outs in Calgary. Eligible top players were selected from both Alberta and B.C.
As the team was to be determined later in November, players had to go back and
try to make their club teams. I travelled to Prince Albert, and started strong,
scoring 3 points in my first 2 WHL games. I continued to play well and cracked
the line up. As our season continued, I was grateful to be chosen to play for
Team Pacific at the U17 World Hockey Challenge in Sydney Nova Scotia. I was
having a great tournament, leading our team with 7 points in 4 games. That
stands out as my most exciting hockey memory so far in my career, as our team
propelled to the finals playing Team USA. Unfortunately, we lost, coming away
with Silver, but I really enjoyed that International experience.
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| Photo: PA Now |
This past summer, I was granted a tryout as one of the 44
players across Canada to represent Canada at the U18 Ivan Hlinka Tournament. I
was not given the opportunity to play, but came away with some new goals.
Outside of hockey, I like to do many things with my family
and friends. Most summers and holidays, we spend in Phoenix and different parts
of California. I like fishing, playing rec. basketball, visiting my
grandparent’s farm, and spending time at the lake with family friends. There
are 5 people in my family. I have 2 younger siblings, my sister, 14 and
brother, 11. My sister is a competitive dancer, and my brother plays both
hockey and basketball. Both of my siblings are very supportive of my
hockey and come out to visit me in P.A. quite often. I am also lucky to have
very positive, supportive parents.
My dad was very involved with my young
hockey, through coaching, encouraging and giving me advice. He is the main reason I started hockey at such
a young age. We also have close family members who are athletes at the National
and Professional levels. My mom’s sister, my Aunt Nathalie is a celebrated
World Champion English Equestrian, travelling to compete at International
levels throughout Canada and the United States. My cousin Avery Lakeman, was
selected on Canada’s U17 Women’s National
Team as an underage player, played in the 2014 Concacaf, and U17 FIFA
World Championship Canadian Team in Costa Rica. Both my parents have cousins
that played hockey in Europe,( Germany and Italy).
Finally, my biggest
inspiration, is my cousin Fernando Pisani. Fernando played most of his career
with the Edmonton Oilers, and finished it with the Chicago Blackhawks. I was
lucky to get to watch him in many Edmonton games, and see him often as we live
in the same community. He has given good advice and taught me both things about
the game as well as being a good person and the importance of being
professional. He has been a really good example, and my entire extended family
has been a great support.
From a dedicated summer of training at Athletes Nation and
specific on ice sessions, I have become stronger, faster, and more capable in a
power forward role. I have matured more since my rookie season, learning from
teammates like Josh Morrissey and Leon Draisaitl, both 1st round
picks in the NHL draft. I feel I have
the ability to be a leader, to be a bigger impact player moving forward this
season with the Raiders. I will be working every day toward achieving my goal
of becoming a highly drafted player in the upcoming NHL draft. As a P.A Raider,
I will continue efforts to contribute to my team, making a push toward becoming
a championship club.
That’s about everything for my first installment! I want to
thank Guy Flaming and The Pipeline Show for having me in studio this past
summer, and allowing me to share a bit more about myself and my family. I look
forward to continuing up on this segment, and if anyone wants to fire me some
questions, feel free to contact me on Twitter (@gens_21)
Thanks for following up on me.
Matteo Gennaro
Matteo Gennaro is listed by NHL Central Scouting as a 6'2.25, 187 lb forward. He was given a 'C' rating in their pre-season listing of players to watch for the 2015 NHL Draft. Gennaro managed 5 goals and 15 points as a rookie and through the first 15 games of this season he has generated 4 points.
2 comments:
Sounds like a good kid.
I hope he makes the Jets one day.
Good luck, and hope you make Winnipeg Jets one day!
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