Issue link: https://viewer.e-digitaledition.com/i/1232322
Key facts Team: Trail Smoke Eaters (BCHL) | Hometown: Turnersville, N�J� Position: Left Wing | Shoots: Left | Size: 5-8, 168 | Age: 20 Notable: Finished third in the BCHL and second on Trail in scoring in 2019-20 with 68 points (27-41-68) in 58 games� Recorded one goal and two assists in four playoff contests� In 2018-19, totaled 23 points (9-14-23) in 54 USHL matches with Omaha, Tri-City and Lincoln� Played four seasons (2013-17) at Bishop Eustace Preparatory School� Photo: Mike Hockley/Trail Smoke Eaters Equipment Helmet: Bauer Stick: Bauer Gloves: Bauer Skates: Bauer Favorites Food: "Chipotle" TV show: "The Flash" Movie: "Avengers: Endgame" Actor: Vin Diesel Actress: Margot Robbie Musician: Travis Scott Book: "Orr: My Story" by Bobby Orr Video game: NBA 2K series Non-hockey athlete: LeBron James Sport other than hockey: Basketball Type of goal: "Overtime in Game 7 of the championship to win the Cup� Getting a breakaway and going five-hole to win it� That would be pretty cool�" COLELLA What led to your decision to play with the Trail Smoke Eaters in the British Columbia Hockey League for the 2019-20 season? "Last season, when I was playing in the United States Hockey League, I got a call from (Smoke Eaters head coach and general manager) Jeff Tambellini to see what my thoughts were for this season� I didn't know what I was doing yet, if I was going back to the USHL, but I kept talking to him throughout the summer� I also had a good connection with one of Jeff 's good friends from back home, and we were talking a lot� It felt like an easy decision�" How would you compare and contrast the reality of playing and living in Trail with your expectations? "I didn't know much about the town before going there, but once you start playing there, you realize it's a small town, but a big hockey town� They really supported us� It's beautiful out there with all the mountains� There are a lot of cool spots to hang out� The weather is beautiful, whether it's snowing or hot out�" What was your favorite moment with the Smoke Eaters? "My favorite moment has to be either the last home game of the regular season (Feb� 21 vs� the Salmon Arm Silverbacks) when we were basically sold out — that was a cool moment, for Cominco Arena to be packed like that — or when my linemate (Kent Johnson) got his 100th point of the season (on Feb� 17 at the West Kelowna Warriors)�" What parts of your game did you improve the most with Trail? "It has to be my defensive zone play� I always thought my defensive zone play was OK; I never thought it was great� I worked on defensive zone things throughout the year, making sure that I was picking up guys and doing all the little things and paying attention to details in the 'D' zone� The quicker we were getting out of the defensive zone gave us more time to spend in the offensive zone, and that helped me a lot� The BCHL was really good for my transition game, and Jeff really showed me how to open up and use that to my advantage to have more opportunities�" You played four seasons (2013-17) at Bishop Eustace Preparatory School. What was your favorite moment? "It was when we made the state semifinals my sophomore year and played against Delbarton� We had fan buses that came and followed us to support us during the game� To go that far meant a lot to us� We knew it was a big moment for the school, and everyone was happy and proud of us that we went that far�" Last year, you participated in the Checking For Charity tournament in South Jersey. What did it mean to you to be able to play in that tournament, for a charity, with players from all across the hockey world? "I wanted to play in that tournament for a long time� When I was younger, I was around the tournament because my mom (Dina) and dad (Emilio) and I had buddies in it� I know (New York Rangers defenseman) Tony DeAngelo (Sewell, N�J�) and (Syracuse Crunch center) Ross Colton (Robbinsville, N�J�) very well� Growing up with them, I always hoped to play for one of their teams� "The tournament organizers decided to give me an oppor- tunity to make my own team and bring my own guys and have some fun with it� It brought another team to the tournament and made it bigger, and I was all for it� I brought a team of my buddies; we wanted to see how we would do� It meant a lot to be able to go in the tournament and play against (National Hockey League) guys because you don't really get the op- portunity to skate with them and play against them in an actual game� To watch first-hand what they can do when you're play- ing against them, it's different from when you're watching on TV or from the stands� And it's special to play for a charity, too� Any opportunity you get to play for a charity and to raise money to help other people is always great� I look forward to playing in it every summer�" — LEO SCAGLIONE JR. Hangin' out with … Michael Colella