David the Goliath
Having scored MVP honors for his Canadian junior team, a Marconi East ice hockey star will soon enter the college ranks.
By Joseph Myers
This Post sponsored by the Triangle Tavern
When preparing for a new challenge, some athletes might find themselves hesitant to hold great expectations for obtaining immediate success. Thanks to his recent commendation as the Most Valuable Player for the Cowichan Valley Capitals, and distinction as the third-leading scorer among British Columbia Hockey League defensemen, David Melaragni is not in that league.
“I want to dominate,” the 21-year-old product of Marconi East said of his next stop, Canisius College, to whom he committed in the winter. “I want to dedicate myself to becoming better every day and further my goal to play professional hockey.”
Melaragni plied his trade in British Columbia the last two seasons, impressing the Capitals this campaign and the Nanaimo Clippers the previous season. For his most recent junior club, he continued to blend his penchants for playing tight defense and contributing timely offense to help the Vancouver Island squad knock off the top-seeded Penticton Vees in a first-round playoff series, with the young man notching five goals in 12 postseason tilts. Now that his Canadian journey has concluded, he eagerly anticipates expanding a devotion to hockey that began when he was three.
“The competition was so good in British Columbia, so I’m fortunate to have been there to gain knowledge that’s going to serve me well when I’m playing for Canisius,” Melaragni said. “This spring and summer are going to be about training so that I can go in there and try to land a spot on the top defense pairing.”
When the ambitious talent heads to the Buffalo-based learning institution, he will do so with an already impressive hockey resume that has seen him travel across the United States and to Europe. If he has his way, his time in New York will strengthen the skillset that has given him the belief that he will one day lace up his skates as a professional. He values the support that everyone has given him along his journey has given him, with his family members topping the list. Now that he will be an East Coast inhabitant again, those relatives will certainly welcome the opportunity to see his maturation in person again as Melaragni looks to reward the Golden Griffins for having added the scholarship winner to their ranks.
“I’ve been fortunate to make great connections throughout my life as a hockey player,” the impending freshman said of a path that has instilled in him an unwavering appreciation for hard work and accountability. “My confidence has risen every step of the way, so it’s a given that I’m going to go to Canisius with the same mindset that I can do well instantly because I’m committed.”
Professional hockey clubs are forever relying on tireless defensemen to serve as leaders, so stepping up to another level of play is going to compel Melaragni to be even more devoted to his craft. That certainly means that the Golden Griffins are going to have hockey’s version of the Energizer Bunny on their roster and that their opponents had better bring their “A” game for every shift.
“Hockey has already done so much for me,” he stated. “I’m ready for this next chapter and whatever chapters come after it.”
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