Tassone has high-level ability
If I am Lake Superior State Lakers head coach Damon Whitten or Northern Michigan Wildcats head coach Walt Kyle I am taking in a Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League game with the expressed purpose of making a future Division 1, Western Collegiate Hockey Association commitment to Soo Thunderbirds forward Mark Tassone.
The 5-foot-11, 177-pound Tassone, who has a 1999 birth date, has U.S. college hockey written all over him with his skill level and academic strength. Plus he’s a great kid who is fresh from a good showing at the Ontario Hockey League training camp of the defending Memorial Cup champion — and still powerful — London Knights.
No ifs, ands or buts about it, Tassone can play. He has Division 1 potential and he has OHL potential.
Thus far this season — his second in the NOJHL — Tassone already has 7 goals, 5 assists, 12 points in just 7 games.
I would say that the hometown Soo Greyhounds should sign Tassone to an OHL contract.
But this is a Greyhound team that has already missed out on three undrafted — yes, undrafted — local kids who nonetheless made the OHL elsewhere.
Funny how goalie Mario Culina is good enough to play for the Windsor Spitfires but not for the Greyhounds.
Funny how relentless forwards Darian Pilon and Drake Pilon are good enough to play for the Sudbury Wolves but not the Greyhounds.
Do the Greyhounds even have a local scout?
And if so, where is he hiding?
PHOTO: Mark Tassone of the Soo Thunderbirds has high-level ability. (Photo by Ali Pearson.)
Nick Delapenta lol.
Good player. A few more good players on the TBirds as well. Greyhounds don`t care about local players!! Randy, local scouts in this city are a complete joke!! There are many good players in the entire league but they don`t have a chance.
Good luck to all players.
Nick DelaPenta is a plug IMO.
He should be relieved of his so called duties!
At the time Culina was signed the Greyhounds had a 19 year old starter (and 2nd round NHL draft pick) being backed up by a 17 year old future starter (who is currently at NYR main camp). Currently the Greyhounds have a backup battle taking place.
How many wingers were the Greyhounds returning this season? How many of those are proven OHL players ? Not a lot of space for the Pilon’s. Sudbury on the other hand – is a completely different team, in a completely different place.
The twins are very capable and effective but do they fit the Greyhound’s puck possession high risk, offense first style ? No. They don’t fit the culture that was started with Dubas & Keefe and is continued with Raftis & Bannister.
No need to knock either the Greyhounds or the 3 players mentioned.
Wayne,
I will give you another example, this one from the 2013 draft when the Greyhounds missed out on Owen Headrick from their own back yard, allowing the Erie Otters to draft him in the 14th — yes, 14th — round.
Headrick could have signed with Erie but instead took a full-ride scholarship from the Lake Superior State Lakers, for whom he debuted last season as the youngest player in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association.
Where was the Greyhounds local scout when Headrick was playing minor midget in the Soo?
Fair enough,
Owen Headrick fell between the cracks.
Perhaps the Greyhounds thought they could get him undrafted like they did Brett Findlay and Colin Miller. Both of whom are enjoying pro careers
Not to mention the greyhounds have brought back local products in Dave Quesnele, Patrick Watling, and most recently Frankie Pucci.
I’m just saying its not that the organization is ignoring local talent. They just can’t get all of it, all the time.
Hey Wayne appreciate your comments but it is obvious the Greyhounds like their southern Ontario scouts……very obvious. It does not matter as there are many options other than the OHL for kids. Once again the OHL is overar rated and filled with politics!!! That is just how it goes.