The Markham Royals Jr. A Hockey Club are pleased to announce our initial 2024/25 rookie class, consisting of eleven signings from across Canada and the United States.
Starting us off, the Royals have brought back four familiar faces, who briefly played for the team in 2023/24 as affiliate players:
- Joshua Giordano, forward – The 2007-born Giordano played five regular season games and one playoff game for the Royals in 2023/24, scoring two goals. The Vaughan native played last season with the U18 North York Rangers of the GTHL, leading the team in goals. Giordano was drafted 52nd overall in the 2024 OHL U18 Draft by the Kitchener Rangers.
- Jackson Halloran, forward – The 2008-born Halloran played three games for the Royals in 2023/24. The Markham native played last season with the U16 York Simcoe Express of the OMHA, leading the team in goals and points. Halloran was drafted 98th overall in the 2024 OHL Priority Selection Draft by the London Knights. Jackson is the younger brother of former Royals forward Owen Halloran.
- Athan Miwa, forward – The 2006-born Miwa played two games for the Royals in 2023/24. The Richmond Hill native played last season with the U18 Toronto Titans of the GTHL and was the team’s captain. Athan is the younger brother of current Royals forward Ashton Miwa.
- Mason Cruzet, forward – The 2007-born Cruzet played one game for the Royals in 2023/24. The Stouffville native played last season with the U18 Markham Waxers of the OMHA, leading the team in playoff goals and points, winning the OMHA Championship on their way to a run to the Telus Cup.
The Royals have also signed seven other players, who will make their Ontario Junior Hockey League debuts in 2024/25:
- Charlie Anderson, defence – The 2005-born Anderson completed his first season of junior hockey last season, playing 38 games with the Mercer Chiefs of the NCDC. Anderson produced two goals and an assist, along with 46 penalty minutes.
- Adriano Bregliano, defence – The 2007-born Bregliano was a mainstay on the blueline of the championship-winning U18 Vaughan Kings of the GTHL. Known for his heavy two-way game, Bregliano scored 14 points in 38 games for Vaughan last season.
- Nicholas Ferrante, forward – The 2006-born Ferrante played the last two seasons with St. Andrew’s College’s U18 AAA program, producing 20 points in 56 games last season. Ferrante was drafted 49th overall in the OHL U18 draft by Sarnia in 2023.
- Aidan Hagshi, defence – The 2006-born Hagshi excelled in his second season of U18 hockey, playing for the Toronto Nationals of the GTHL. Calm and poised with the puck, Hagshi produced 14 points in 35 games with the Nats in 2023/24.
- Ryan Harris, goaltender – The 2006-born Harris joins us following a stellar season with the Pittsburgh Penguins Elite 18U program, posting a 15-7-1 record with a 2.72 GAA and 0.921 save percentage. Harris spent the last three seasons in the Penguins Elite program.
- Charlie Nolette, forward – The 2006-born Nolette was an efficient scorer for Belle Tire 18U last year, producing 10 points in 13 recorded regular season games and leading the team in playoff points, with four in as many games.
- Travis Rekar, defence – The 2006-born Rekar led his Oakland Jr. Grizzlies 18U roster in scoring last year, producing four goals and 14 assists in 54 games played.
The Royals will continue to fine-tune our roster ahead of opening night. The 2024/25 Markham Royals regular season begins with a road game against the Cobourg Cougars on September 9th, followed by our home opener against the North York Rangers on September 13th.
