OSHAWA, Ont. — After being passed over in the Ontario Hockey League draft twice, Anthony Cirelli thought his chances of playing major junior hockey were over.
The Woodbridge, Ont., native had turned his attention to tier II junior hockey and the possibility of earning an NCAA scholarship when the Oshawa Generals called.
Cirelli accepted an invite to camp in the summer of 2014 thinking it would be a good learning opportunity. Little did he know his hockey career was about to take off.
"I was just going really for the experience to see what it’d be like and the competition level and how players are in the OHL," said Cirelli, who was considering studying business. "Fortunately for me, I made the team."
Cirelli scored 13 goals and 23 assists in 68 games during his rookie season. He added two goals and eight assists in 21 playoff games. The biggest goal of the young centre’s career came last May as he scored the overtime winner in the Memorial Cup final as Oshawa edged the Kelowna Rockets 2-1.
"That was a great experience, just to play in the tournament and be with the guys last year and playing in the tournament," he said. "It was an unbelievable feeling winning Memorial Cup. Words can’t really describe it."
The 18-year-old was rewarded for his fine rookie campaign when the Tampa Bay Lightning selected him in the third round of the 2015 NHL draft.
This season, the two-way centre has taken on more of a leadership role.
When New York Islanders prospect, and Generals captain, Michael Dal Colle was dealt to the Kingston Frontenacs in February, Oshawa placed the captaincy on Cirelli’s shoulder.
The six-foot, 160-pound forward finished the regular season with 21 goals and a team-leading 59 points as the Generals secured the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference, earning a first-round matchup with Dal Colle and the Frontenacs.
"I don’t think at any stage of his life probably or certainly his hockey career ever took anything for granted. He still doesn’t. He’s the hardest working guy in practice, he’s the hardest working guy in games," said Oshawa general manager Roger Hunt. "I’m not that surprised when you get to know the person and what he puts into his craft.
"It’s easy to say now because he’s had some success (but) I really believe it was meant to be, he got the opportunity and made the most of it."
According to Generals coach Bob Jones, Cirelli "has no glaring weaknesses" in his game, but in order for him to get to the next level he’ll need to work on his physical strength.
"He needs to get to be where he’s man strong," said Hunt. "His strength will improve. I think his work ethic and his approach to the game is what has endeared to him to (us) and Tampa Bay."
