“He has a clear passion for the game and has shown commitment to prioritize the small details that will allow for us to have team success.”
Ontario Junior Hockey League resident writer Ron Valentine is profiling the 2025-26 team captains across The OJ.
BY RON VALENTINE
Nineteen-year old Anthony Giacalone is the captain of the Toronto Patriots for the 2025-26 season.
An assistant captain last season, Whitby-born Anthony had 13 goals and 40 points. He began his junior career with the Patriots in the 2022-23 season before moving to the Junior B Hamilton Kilty B’s of the GOJHL the following year. He was a seventh round selection in the OHL draft by the London Knights.
“I played the first part of my minor hockey in my hometown of Whitby before moving to the Markham Majors U16 AAA,” he told the OJHL. “We had a very successful season and went to the OHL Cup.
“It was an honour to be named captain of the Patriots for this season on a team full of leaders and players older and more experienced than I am. I was captain in minor bantam and minor midget but this is a different experience.”
“Overall last season we did pretty well but I did not like our season ending when we lost in the first round of the playoffs to Buffalo. Having Luciano Bruno (the OJHL West’s September Player of the Month) back in the fold is a boost for our offense and our assistant captain Robert Palermo is a defensive anchor in his fourth season with the team. He is the kind of player that bleeds black and blue, lays his body on the line and will do anything to help this team win.”
“This season my main aim is to get better around the net and finish plays better. Goals scored at important times in the game make a big difference as many teams this season seem improved and we will have to take advantage of our chances. A good start for us is very important as the division looks to be very open this season.”
Giacolone has 15 points in the Patriots first 12 games. Two of his six goals were game-winners.
Head coach Vince Bellissimo is very confident in his captain.
“Anthony is a natural leader,” Bellissimo said. “He leads by example every day at the rink as well as off the ice. He has a clear passion for the game and has shown commitment to prioritize the small details that will allow for us to have team success. We are excited to have Anthony lead our team and strive to maximize our potential and compete for the Buckland Cup.”
The 9-3-0-0 Patriots are tied for first place in the West Conference with the Milton Menace. They visit the Caledon Admirals Thursday and host the Burlington Cougars Saturday and the Mississauga Chargers on Thanksgiving Monday at Westwood Arena in Etobicoke.
Follow Ron Valentine on X @ronandlynda
