DiVincentiis signs on the dotted line

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This article was published 05/07/2023 (819 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

It took just a few seconds to sign on the dotted line. However, it represented many years of hard work.

Domenic DiVincentiis kicked off Winnipeg Jets development camp in emotional fashion Wednesday, inking his three-year entry-level contract with the NHL organization that drafted him a year ago.

“That’s something I dreamed of as a kid,” a beaming DiVincentiis said following the first of four on-ice sessions at the Jets practice facility.

“It wouldn’t be done without my family and without the support staff that I have down in junior with the North Bay Battalion and, as well, with the faith that the Winnipeg Jets gave me. It’s something that I really honour and don’t take for granted.”

The 19-year-old from Bolton, Ont., is the reigning Ontario Hockey League goaltender of the year — and perhaps the netminder of the future for the Jets.

He’s coming off a terrific junior season in which he played 68 games (48 in the regular season, 20 in the playoffs) with a combined 47-15-5 record. His goals-against-average (2.33 in the season, 2.41 in the playoffs) and save percentage (.919 in the season, .926 in the playoffs) were outstanding.

“Next step is to continue working hard and trying to get to pro as fast as I can,” said DiVincentiis, whose deal carries an annual average value of US$858,333 in the NHL.

With Connor Hellebuyck the main masked man right now — despite entering the final year of his current contract and being the subject of plenty of trade rumblings — and Laurent Brossoit and Collin Delia both signed in free agency this past weekend, the crease is rather crowded at the NHL level.

The Jets also have Oskari Salminen, who spent last year with the Manitoba Moose, and new draft pick Thomas Milic (the reigning Western Hockey League goaltender of the year) in the fold as well.

“I’d never met (Milic) prior to this week here but he’s a great kid and a great goaltender so it’s definitely exciting that we’re part of the same organization here and the hard work starts now,” said DiVincentiis, who is likely headed back to junior for one more season.

He, along with Milic (expected to turn pro this fall and join the Moose) and 2019 fifth-round pick Logan Neaton (who is headed to his senior season this fall at Miami University) are the three goaltenders attending the weeklong camp.

“Just come out here and have fun. Get to see the Jets organization again, get to meet the new guys,” said DiVincentiis. “Definitely come out here, compete with each other each and every day, learn, and take feedback from all the coaches here and just make myself better each and every day.”

One new guy in particular needed no introduction. Colby Barlow, the 18-year-old forward selected in the first round (18th-overall) by Winnipeg at last week’s draft, attended high school with DiVincentiis.

“I texted him right away. I said, ‘Let the work begin and let’s have some fun,’” DiVincentiis said.

He has also known 2022 first-rounder Rutger McGroarty for several years.

“It’s definitely great to have some buddies on the team here that we can all push each other to get better each and every year,” he said.

“It would be super exciting to one day all play together. It’s something the Jets have — great kids and great athletes in the system.”

mike.mcintyre@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @mikemcintyrewpg