By: Ron Valentine (OJHL Featured Writer)
It’s not unique in the OJHL but it’s not the norm either. The Centennial Cup-bound Toronto Patriots have used a tandem of two top goalkeepers throughout the regular season and for the playoffs. Nico Armellin and Trey Caracciolo, both 19-year-olds have backstopped the club to a championship winning season. The Patriots allowed just 132 goals in the regular season and only 45 in 20 playoff games. The number of saves made by the two was very similar over the regular season, 987 by Caracciolo and 985 by Armellin.
Armellin is a Barrie native who was drafted by his hometown Colts in the OHL Priority Selection of 2023. He started his junior hockey career with the GOHL’s St Mary’s Lincolns, posting a miniscule goal against average of 1.77 in 21 regular season games. The club made it through two playoff rounds before falling to 4-3 to the eventual Sutherland Cup-winning Chatham Maroons with Nico posting a 2.36 GAA overall. He joined the Patriots for the current season and played in 30 of the club’s 56 games and he put up a 2.20 GAA and nine postseason contests allowing just 22 goals. Twin brother and fellow goalie, Alex, was traded to the Newmarket Hurricanes at the deadline this season after playing 49 games for the Oakville Blades. After being selected for the GOHL’s Western all-rookie team in 2024-25 he was chosen this season for the OJHL’s Second All-Star team.
Caracciolo was born in Whitby and he made his junior debut with the GOHL’s Kitchener-Waterloo Siskins in their 2023-24 campaign. The following season he tended the net for the CCHL’s Brockville Braves before becoming a Patriot at the start of this season. Trey took part in 30 regular season contests and ended with a 2.24 and in the playoffs, he lowered that to 1.76 while posting two shutouts. He represented the Team Robinson Young Guns in his CCHL season in the Battle of Ontario.
Nico on being part of the top tandem: “Trey and I feed off each other, we can both get the job done, we have managed to stay healthy and we are honest with each other and competitive with each other, in a good way. It works for both of us and a great feeling that we are going to be competing for the National Championship. I’m very fortunate to have the Franco brothers, David and Marco, on the Patriots’ staff as goaltending coaches. It’s easy to get into bad habits and they point out the parts of the game where I need to improve and work on. They push me to be better.”
On twin Brother Alex: “When Alex was with the Blades I played against him this season and it was a good memory for me. We won the game (on December 2nd at Westwood) 7-1. Certainly, a special moment for me and neat to see Alex at the other end fhe ice. We were also in net against each other in the Newmarket playoff series in game four where we won 11-2 and he came in with 25 minutes left in the game, a tough situation but he is a good goalie who was playing behind a strong veteran. He will get his chance to shine next season.”
On his time in Barrie: “The Colts’ organization is very professional and I learned a lot just by being there even though I did not get to play in a game. It was a good experience.”
On the trip to Summerside: “We are a team with lots of skill and speed and playing against the top teams from across the country is going to be a great experience for us all. The pace is going to be fast, and the quality of hockey is going to be very high and we all look forward to the challenge. Whichever forward line or set of defencemen is on the ice for our team makes no difference for me because I can rely on them all to get the job done. We are enjoying the whole process, and we can’t wait to get started against the Cubs. You must respect a team that went 12 for 12 in their playoffs as we will for all the teams.”
Trey was not drafted by the OHL: “I played my minor hockey with U16 Ajax/Pickering and in my last season I was with the U18 Whitby Wildcats. Playing for the Siskins was a good way to get my foot in the junior hockey door, it was a good compete level for me as a 17-year-old. For the following season I wanted to take the next step up and I did get quite a few (28) games in. Rockland. who will be the CCHL rep at the Cup were very tough then too and it would be fun to play them if both teams get out of the round robin.”
“I was looking for the best opportunity this season and with Vince (Head Coach Bellissimo) behind the bench the Patriots looked like a good fit. I have learned to trust him as a coach. It was good being back close to home as well. I knew they were rebuilding and everything has worked out well for me. This is a special group of players, and we have grown together throughout the season. One game stands out for me and that was game seven of the playoffs in round two against Collingwood at home, it was a terrific series. We don’t have one big line that the other team can concentrate on and shut down but players who step up every game. We have had few changes and a couple of good additions like the Howard brothers. Luke and Simon. Depth is what allowed us to win the League championship, a huge difference maker.”
On his relationship with Nico: “I have enjoyed ‘flip-flopping’ with Nico. It’s natural to want to play every game in such a crucial position as goalie but we work well together, encourage each other and he and I have become good friends with one major goal, to be the best we can be.”
Trey is ready to show what he and the Patriots can do in Summerside: “We will be hard to beat there as long as we stick to our structure, do what we have been doing. We are always working on the areas where we can improve.”
Coach Bellissimo weighs in on the backstops: “We have operated all year going back and forth between the two goalies. Both kids are exceptional and have high character. They have pushed each other all seasons and they have in doing that made each other better.”
The 1A-1A punch in the net the Patriots will be looking for their appearance at the Centennial Cup to put a fitting finish on a successful regular season and playoffs in which the team won 63 of their 76 games played.
