Bradford Signs Three Former 'Stars'
(Bradford, ON; December 02, 2011)
By: Sean Werth
The Bradford Rattlers are very pleased to announce the signings of three new players. Former Vaughan Stars Nicholas Baldassarra, Joseph Gatti, and Luc Ricci have committed to Bradford for the remainder of the season. Baldassarra and Gatti were Vaughan’s top two players; scoring at over a 2 point per game rate; while Luc Ricci was the Star’s top defenseman.
These transactions will undoubtedly improve Bradford’s line-up; as these players were highly sought after commodities upon hitting free agency. Earlier this week, the Vaughan Stars were unfortunately forced to cease operations, leaving each of their players as free agents and without a place to finish the season. Bradford has opened their arms to these young men, to let them continue their junior careers.
Nicholas Baldassarra, 18, led the Vaughan Stars in scoring, with a phenomenal 36 points in only 17 games. Nicholas had recorded 15 goals and 21 assists; good for 13th in overall GMHL league scoring. Before playing Junior ‘A’, Baldassarra was a standout AAA player for the Brampton Battalion Midget program. He was the third highest scoring on his team, scoring 23 points in 23 games for his final year of AAA. The Brampton native is 5’10”, weighing 155lbs.
Joseph Gatti, 18, was Vaughan’s second leading scorer with 32 points (14g, 18) in just 16 games. Joseph is a native of Toronto, ON, playing in the Pickering minor hockey program before moving to Junior ‘A’. The winger has also notched 35 PIMs this season.
The final signing of the day was defenseman Luc Ricci. Ricci, 17, was Vaughan’s top defensemen before the Stars withdrew from the GMHL. This season, Luc has notched 11 points (1g, 10a) in 16 games. In 2010-2011, Ricci had also played for the Vaughan Wild Junior A Hockey Club, playing in 36 games that season. The junior veteran is 6’0” and weighs 176lbs.
All three players are expected to debut this weekend against the Bobcaygeon Bucks, and also play in the exhibition game against the Orangeville Americans. Come out on Sunday, and cheer on Baldassarra, Gatti, Ricci and the rest of your Bradford Rattlers at the Bob Fallis Sports Centre!
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