Tassone gets OHL tryout invite
Niagara IceDogs of the Ontario Hockey League have extended a tryout invite to Mark Tassone of the Soo Thunderbirds of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League.
Tassone, a 1999 birth-year forward, has had a productive rookie season for the depth-laden Thunderbirds as one of the youngest players in the 12-team NOJHL.
Mark Seidel, who serves as Niagara’s northern Ontario scout, confirmed to HockeyNewsNorth.com that the OHL IceDogs have offered a tryout to Tassone.
As one of 14 forwards on the two-time NOJHL champion Thunderbirds, the 5-foot-11, 180-pound Tassone produced 13 goals, 23 assists, 36 points in 63 games, regular season and playoffs included.
Despite his young age, Tassone, who is a grade 11 high school student, is also on the radar of two Division 1, Western Collegiate Hockey Association schools — Lake Superior State Lakers and Northern Michigan Wildcats.
Tassone is represented by family advisor David Maciuk of JDM Sports.
As for Niagara and its OHL interest in Tassone, the Ice Dogs have drafted players from Sault Ste. Marie three years in a row. In 2014, the IceDogs selected defenseman Adam Baggs in the 10th round, in 2015 they took forward Max Khull in the sixth round and in 2016, they nabbed forward Lucas Theriault in the 12th round.
Niagara will face the London Knights for the OHL championship in a best-of-seven series that begins this week.
PHOTO: Mark Tassone of the Soo Thunderbirds of the NOJHL. (Photo by Ali Pearson.)
Should stick with NCAA Div 1 opportunities, continue to develop with Soo T-Birds, and finish school at home. Way more upside than OHL. Great player. Will thrive in NCAA program.
Congrats Mark! Great kid with a good attitude. Good luck.
Hi Mark
Congratulations for this. It has taken a lot of effort on both your part and your parents. Good luck in the future
Congrats Mark!!!! So proud of you! The Cail’s in Midland!
Congrats Mark from your Moms cousin, Rod Botham.
Requesting Stanley Cup Box tickets when your in Toronto playing a game 7 against the Leafs.
Good Luck,Rod & Wendy
Mark congrats…I would buy seasons tickets if it all works out. That way a lot of the family will be here in St. Kitts to cheer you on. On the other hand a NCAA offer is great too. Just so you know,
Williamson and the owners have a really good reputation with their players and budget…if you hear of it, ignore the Berg situation!
How about Cody Caron in 2013 draft?
You are correct, D. Brown. Caron as well.
Always forgetting about the 96’s ..
Really, Don? Always? What an utterly idiotic statement.
Way to go Mark!!! Happy for you having followed you since even before the Thunder Minor Midgets.