The returnees (NYR goaltenders)

Before I get into North York's two returning goaltenders (yes folks, Andrew Cipollone is a returner), I should point out that the Toronto Patriots have no net minders back this year as Evan Buitenhuis is off to college and Jeremy Helvig is off to the Kingston Frontenacs. As a quick aside, Jeremy did dress in one game with the Frontenacs last year, in a wild 10-6 win over the Barrie Colts no less!

So, back to North York we go.

By now, any OJHL general manger worth their salt should know how good Gianluca Baggetta can be. He was unbelievable in the GTHL midget playoffs two years ago, and for the vast majority of last season he was as good as a rookie, if not better, than the veteran Jason Pucciarelli ahead of him. He came up as a double A goaltender, but took off once he started to take hockey a lot more seriously and despite his lack of size, he has parlayed athleticism, focus and a huge chip on his shoulder into a talent level as high as anybody in this season's goaltender class. That being said, he has not yet proven himself as a full-time OJHL goaltender and North York head coach Mark Joslin has tried to make it abundantly clear that ice time on his squad is a privilege and not a right. Therefore, keeping that chip on his shoulder will be important for Baggetta (because, as you will read in the next paragraph, there is a quality Chip right behind him!). I do predict that Gianluca definitely has what it takes mentally and physically to be an elite net-minder this season, no doubt aided by an upbringing and a family that really gets it (a very underrated factor in the development of young hockey players). But it's all up to him to take that next step.

Behind Baggetta will be a real classy kid in Cipollone. The man they call "chip" made his OJHL debut two seasons ago on Dec. 30, 2012, when he was rock solid in a 4-3 shootout loss to the Toronto Jr. Canadians at the ripe age of 16. How do I remember that exact detail? Maybe I'm a little crazy. Anyways, he won't complain at all about playing time this year and when he does go in, I guarantee that he'll play with his entire heart. He has been a loyal North York Ranger for years and with his attitude, I expect he'll be an excellent heart-and-soul addition to this club. Talent-wise, he was a big reason why the Rangers midgets made it the GTHL final last year and subsequently has proved he is ready for this level. He's the perfect type of guy to push Baggetta.