THUNDER BAY -- Former Thunder Bay North Stars forward Daniel Del Paggio is heading home.
The 5-foot-9 Del Paggio spent the past three years playing in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and has agreed to return to his hometown to play next season with the Lakehead Thunderwolves.
“I’m a hometown boy and friends and family are important to me. I grew up watching the Thunderwolves and I’m excited to have the opportunity to become one myself,” he said. "I also chose Lakehead because the team is up and coming, and I want to contribute right off the bat and be an all-around solid player, work hard and provide some leadership."
Wolves coach Bill McDonald said in a release issued on Tuesday by the team he sees plenty of upside in his latest acquisition.
“He’s a great addition and a real character guy,” McDonald said. “Daniel is a highly-skilled player with great vision and he’ll be a big part of our offense.”
Del Paggio scored 15 goals and added 36 assists for the Saint John Sea Dogs and Gatineau Olympiques in 2016-17, his final year of major junior.
The 20-year-old winger was named the Superior International Junior Hockey League’s most valuable player in 2014 after putting up 36 goals and 105 points for the Stars in 51 appearances, finishing the season on a 36-game point-scoring streak.
Del Paggio played 193 games in the QMJHL, scoring 45 goals to go with 83 assists.
