Gianluca Minicozzi '24 Recruiting Profile

Dear Coaches,

My name is Gianluca Minicozzi, everyone calls me  " G " .  My D.O.B is July 12 2006.. so I am graduating this year from St-Mary's Prep

Catholic High School as a Varsity 1st line centerman ,on the Varsity Prep Ice Hockey Team.. Student Athlete!!

Where I will receive my grade 12 diploma ,as I already graduated from grade 11 In Canada where

I'm from Montreal, Quebec.

As a former student athlete at Rosemere High School

in the soccer concentration program under Coach Andy Walker ,from Chelsey England. As there was no Hockey program 

And my real ambition is to play Hockey in the NHL or in any European Pro Hockey league ,all I really want is to play hockey for a living at a high level,

Hockey is my life ,its like the air I breathe ,I cant live without it . I was in the U16 AAA team At SOMANG HOCKEY CLUB in Terrebonne Quebec. Canada. 

Its an elite hockey development hockey program which is not associated with hockey Quebec or hockey Canada ,totally independent travelling program in the USPHL tier 1.. Led By the amazing Hockey mind of hockey Director Francois Landreville you can google him That's what we did when he recruited me to his program ,my dad called him back in 5 min,,,,

Francois also played professionally in France .Now for the last 20 years  trains all elite hockey player including NHL,AHL,CHL,NCAA,ECHL & many junior prospects during the off season and when some players are coming back from injuries during the season,

My father played hockey and received a scholarship at Vermont University to play for the Wildcats but because of family matters had to decline at the last minute...biggest regret of his life .and promised me that if I had a chance to play hockey in the states ,and if I was dedicated and talented enough to have the opportunity to play at the NCAA level he would do everything in his power to help me achieve my dream. Now all of you must think that I play hockey because my dad did and he probably pushed me to do so ,,,and probably wants to live his dream through me. That could not be more false .He actually pulled me out of hockey when I was a Novice player because I did not enjoy it when he coached , so he understood. Only through the love of the game ,friends and the discipline I received from the martial art Tae Kwon do. I started to developed the proper work ethics and love for the game again . I convinced him to play once more and I achieved great things with my city hockey teams ,,,tournament champions many Times, provincial finalists ,and received many tryout offers to the AAA league teams. The city hockey associations here in Quebec are very corrupt an influenced by there board members ,also still a little racist .As an Italian hockey player it is frowned upon to take the place of a real french Quebecer.. so many times either I was the last cut or actually taken off the team after a coaching change was made ...that is why my after a spring AAA league team the Mustangs decided to give me a chance .Coach Alain Langlois now coach Pionniers of Lanaudiere and still owner of the AAA Mustangs  ,and coach Frank  Spinozzi who now coaches in France. Also the father of Kevin Spinozzi who played with the Pittsburgh Penguins on defence, who have all trained and coached me on a team and one on one basis. That is where Francois saw me at a final and contacted us...since that moment . Also in my first year with the program I was offered 2 scholarships to prep schools i. Phillips Academy and St-Andrews College.

Since that weekend I have dedicated my life to playing hockey Professionally .

Dedication ,well I'm up at 4am everyday wake up my dad and we leave for the rink at 4.30. we are there always first even before the rink opens, that's my thing...on the ice by 5:15 until 6:30 then off oce training until 7 :00am , My dad arranged the school bus to  pick me up at rink to go to school at 7:15. classes start at 7:45 , then I jump into my Student Athlete Soccer Program at School 2 to 3 hours a day of soccer and 2 to 3 hours of classes.

2:30 pm after school I then jump on the bus and go back to the rink by 3:00pm do my homework and jump on the ice at 4:30 for another specialty hockey practice .  sounds crazy but I love every minute of everyday of my life so far....

My parents , Francois and we also had the president of the USPHL who gave a lecture at our program , have emphasized how our grades in school are so important to get a scholarship ,my dad says its not like the old days where things were shady and you could get through with your hockey talent and a good interview...

As a student who has dyslexia school was very hard for me until they found out I had the learning disability .since then things have changed drastically with a laptop loaded with special programs and apps given to me by the school board. and the help and support everyone has given  me Academically, my teachers ,my parents my sister . please don't tell her i said so ,lol. I was able to get my grades to Honor Roll Status.

After my 5th year at  Somang ,I signed my first Junior A Contract with the Meaford Knights from the GMHL ,was traded to the Niagara on the lake Predators same league GMHL southern division, the day before opening night . what an experience, Came home from a fantastic half season at the holidays ,to have multiple offers to the USPHL elite and also Premiere , with a bitter taste in my mouth ,because I cant thank Mr,Robert Thurnbull (owner of Predators) who believed in me .I chose to go to Bakersfield California and become a Roughneck, in the USPHL PREMIER league .From there went to get a scholarship at St-Mary's Prep. the next year, and here we are. What I want in my future is to play in the NCAA DIV 1 Hockey .and then play pro !

Those words could not be more true ,I want to play for North Dakota, or Wisconsin, Ohio State ,Boston U or Boston College ,Notre-Dame or Merrimak .  These are the schools I follow and also have already played in some of their rinks .  

I 've become the young man i am today through hard work and always more than the others because everyone can give 100% ,To make it you have to be willing to to more  first one on the ice last one off ,,,same in the gym and off ice training ,video stay a little longer with the coach to make sure I got what I did wrong and what to do in that situation if it happens again . and take responsibility if my error caused a goal or a bad penalty that cost us.

To all the coaches, scouts and anyone who can have a major impact on my future . Just give me the opportunity to prove you right ! 

you surely wont be sorry you did. You'll be sorry you hadn't done it sooner .

Sincerely ,

Gianluca ( G ) Minicozzi 

Future pro hockey player, unless I die trying .