Kirkland Lake Captain Luca Maiuri, shown here protecting the puck while being checked by Max Gorzelnik during an NOJHL game against the Lumberjacks at the Claude Larose Recreation Centre in Hearst on Jan. 26, has committed to attending the State University of New York (SUNY) Fredonia, an NCAA Dvision-3 program, once his Gold Miners career comes to an end. NORTHERN LIGHTS PHOTOGRAPHY/FOR NOJHL NETWORK jpg, TD, apsmc
Given he played Junior ‘A’ hockey in Kirkland Lake, it is only natural Gold Miners’ Captain Luca Maiuri will become a Blue Devil when the puck drops on his university career.
Brad Sherratt – Kirkland Lake Northern News
Maiuri, a 20 year old Orangeville product, has committed to play for State University of New York (SUNY) Fredonia, an NCAA Dvision-3 program, next season.
In an interview with the Northern News, Maiuri indicated he is excited to be joining the Blue Devils.
“It is an awesome fit for me,” he said. “(Gold Miners) Coach Kyle Adams had only amazing things to say about it and (Fredonia) Coach Jeff Meredith was awesome in all of our meetings.
“I am really excited about the program and I think it is going to be a great fit. It is close to home (Caledon).”
As for what he will bring to his new team, Maiuri pointed to size and speed.
“I am going to finish checks, get in the blue paint and hopefully score some goal for them,” he said.
Maiuri also intends to bring some leadership to his new team and teammates.
“I hope to be the best person I can in that room and hopefully bring some smiles to the guys faces,” he said.
In an email exchange with the Northern News, Meredith said, “We are very excited about Luca joining our Fredonia family next year.
“He is a big, heavy, forward who plays an honest game at both ends of the ice. Obviously, as a captain, he is a leader and we’ve found that by bringing leaders to our program, it keeps our culture strong.
“I know that Kyle Adams has a high standard as coach and mentor and that Luca has great coaching in Kirkland Lake.”
It should be noted Maiuri will not be the first Gold Miners graduate to suit up for Fredonia. Zach Pease played for the Blue Devils during the 2015-16 campaign.
When Maiuri suits up for Fredonia next season, he will compete against a former Kirkland Lake Gold Miner, Sam De Mauro, who currently plays for SUNY Potsdam.
Maiuri is on the brink of making Gold Miners’ history in terms of games played.
When Maiuri steps onto the ice for a game against Hearst on Feb. 11, he will have played 150 regular season games for the Gold Miners, tying a record set during the 2022-23 season by blue-liner Spencer Jones.
“(Spencer) was a great leader to me,” Maiuri said. “He was a great mentor during my first year and it will be pretty cool to get that record.”
While this season is far from over, Maiuri reflected on his time in Kirkland Lake and says he could not have played in a better community.
“It has been the best time of my life playing Junior ‘A’ hockey in this town. It has been so great for me,” he said.
“It is awesome that I got to spend my whole Junior ‘A’ career here. I love the people of Kirkland Lake. They are the best people on the planet. They are so kind, so welcoming. It has just been an amazing experience.”
In terms of his schooling, Maiuri will be majoring in psychology.
