2023–24 U18 AAA
U18
Forwards
| Jersey | Last Name | First Name | Birth Year | Height | Weight | Shoots |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | La Vecchia | Leo | 2007 | 6'2 | 175 | Left |
| 13 | Venance | Zachary | 2007 | 6'0 | 168 | Right |
| 19 | LaPietra | Alessandro | 2006 | 5'10 | 170 | Right |
| 22 | Bergeron | Gabriel | 2007 | 5'10 | 170 | Right |
| 27 | Wilson | Ricky | 2007 | 6'0 | 180 | Left |
| 49 | McCulligh | William | 2007 | 5'11 | 185 | Left |
| 71 | Warnes | Jacob | 2007 | 6'2 | 165 | Left |
| 88 | Shewfelt | Max | 2007 | 5'11 | 175 | Left |
| 92 | Caesar | Josh | 2007 | 6'1 | 181 | Right |
Defence
| Jersey | Last Name | First Name | Birth Year | Height | Weight | Shoots |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | Whitehead | Adam | 2007 | 6'5 | 198 | Left |
| 26 | Tangalin | Trevor | 2007 | 5'8 | 160 | Right |
| 38 | Vallejos | Carlito | 2007 | 5'9 | 170 | Left |
| 40 | Wilson | Ryder | 2007 | 6'2 | 170 | Left |
| 65 | Begin | Jake | 2007 | 6'1 | 175 | Right |
| 73 | McGregor | Will | 2007 | 6'3 | 182 | Right |
| 86 | Steenbakkers | Robbie | 2006 | 6'0 | 168 | Left |
Goalies
| Jersey | Last Name | First Name | Birth Year | Height | Weight | Catches |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 35 | Besedin | Mark | 2007 | 6'1 | 165 | Left |
| 70 | Murphy | Darcy | 2007 | 6'3 | 160 | Left |
Coaches
Coach's Letter
To Parents and Players,
Welcome to Ottawa Myers Automotive U18 AAA.
My name is Brad Smyth and I am excited to lead Myers U18 AAA into what promises to be a highly entertaining and successful 2023–2024 season. Hockey is in my blood and I look forward to passing on 20 years of professional hockey playing experience to U18 players who are hungry to reach their goals.
Coming off an HEO Playoff Championship, our coaching staff has created a template of combining winning with developing players for their next level of hockey. I believe in developing individuals so they mesh into a team culture. This is achieved by having a fun atmosphere and a coaching staff that love the game of hockey.
I am energized and appreciate the opportunity to coach this team to its full potential!
Looking forward to seeing you at the rink!
Thanks.
Brad Smyth
Head Coach,
Ottawa Myers Automotive U18 AAA
Tournaments
- September 25–October 1
Toronto Titans Prospect Tournament
Toronto, ON - October 12–15
Senators U16/U18 Showcase (Myers Home)
Ottawa, ON - November 2–5
Sudbury Big Nickel Tournament
Sudbury, ON - January 18–21
Peterborough Steve Ritchey
Peterborough, ON
Brad has 20 years of professional hockey playing experience with 3 years of coaching under his belt. Brad played for 5 teams in the NHL and won a Calder Cup in the AHL with the Hartford Wolf Pack adding two seasons in the AHL with 50+ goal seasons earning him the nick-name Shooter. He was honored in 2019 by being inducted into the AHL Hockey Hall of fame.
Brad had 2 years with the ECHL Denver Cutthroats as Assistant Coach and Assistant General Manager. He moved back to Ottawa to focus on his passion for player development and guided the Kemptville 73’s U18 AAA 2022-2023 team to the League Championship along with being honored with the title of Coach of The Year.
Mark’s passion for coaching and developing young hockey players started in the late 1980’s while helping coach the Ottawa Capitals Bantam AAA team. This was also when he started his Junior hockey playing throughout the Ottawa Valley. In the mid 1990’s, Mark started coaching in the GTHL. His proudest coaching accomplishment was with the 2000/01 Toronto Young Nationals Midget AAA team, winning their league, a Provincial Championship and a Bronze Medal at the Air Canada Cup National Midget AAA Championships. The team, ranked 3 rd in Canada, had a season record of 70 wins 10 loses and 10 ties. He then spent the following two season coaching Jr. A in the Toronto area. Mark’s latest coaching success was in 2022/23 as the Associate Coach with the Kemptville 73’s U18 AAA team where they won the League Regional Championship and represented HEO at the Provincial Championships. His firm but fair approach comes with high expectations of his players to be disciplined, accountable and
continually compete for the team’s success. In the 2023/24 season, he will bring his passion for player development to the Ottawa Myers U18 team. Mark’s goals are for his players to be the best player, teammate and person they can be and help prepare them for their future hockey and life goals.
