Bolton resident Adamo Zingaro drafted into the OHL

By Robert Belardi 

The Niagara Ice Dogs selected Bolton resident Adamo Zingaro 185 overall in the 2021 OHL Priority Selection Draft last week. 

The 6-foot-4 right-handed defenceman came out of the Toronto Titans U-16 AAA program without any expectations other than the hope of simply being drafted. 

“I was hoping I was going to be picked by some team. I wasn't expecting any team. I didn't know who wanted me or who didn't. When I heard my name get called I was filled with excitement,” Zingaro said. 

Zingaro said he feels the Ice Dogs will be an excellent experience for him. He travelled last Saturday to officially meet head coach Billy Burke and take a look at the facility. 

Set in his mind, his goal is to crack the roster and get as much playing experience as he can. He said his dream has always been to be drafted into the NHL. At 16 years of age, he would be eligible to do so in two years' time. 

Growing up in Bolton, Zingaro began playing in the local house league program at around the age of five before joining the Caledon Hawks rep program at six years old. 

“I was a really good forward in the Caledon Hawks in my first year. As a kid I thought I was going to go far,” Zingaro said. 

“I really liked being a forward and when I got pushed back to playing defenceman I didn't really like it that much. I wasn't confident. After a couple of weeks, I felt like I was the best defenceman out there.” 

He began modelling his game after Montreal Canadiens captain Shea Weber and Los Angeles Kings assistant captain Drew Doughty. He took his talents over to the Brampton 45s, Mississauga Senators, Brampton 45s once more, the Mississauga Reps (recording 10 points in 30 games) and then all the way to the Toronto Titans. 

One of the best assets of his game is he is a stay-at-home defenceman and the fact that he might continue to grow. The 16-year-old said his chiropractor believes he will grow another two to three inches before everything is all said and done. 

Zingaro has won numerous medals and tournament trophies along the way with his previous teams. He is accustomed to handling high pressure situations and showcases his acumen when it matters most. 

With his sister Izabella south of the border playing Div. 1 NCAA women's basketball with the Iowa State Cylcones, Zingaro comes from quite the athletic family. 

“When my name got chosen my mom started crying. We were jumping up and down. We did a nice big group hug. We did the same for my sister and I was there with her. It's really exciting we have an athletic family now. My sister is hoping she's going to go far and I'm hoping I'm going to go far.” 

Zingaro will be joining an Ice Dogs franchise that is still awaiting it's first J. Ross Robertson Cup. The Ice Dogs have gone to the finals twice falling to the London Knights in 2011-2012 and 2015-2016. 

Last season the team underwent an unsuccessful season carrying an 18-39-5-1 record, good for 19th place overall. 

Zingaro hopes to be a part of the next influx of incoming players to make a difference in that.