If scouts and fans weren't aware of Nathan Amidovski already, which seems unlikely, the forward with the Barrie Jr. Colts U16 AAA team is certainly putting them on notice this week at the OHL Cup.
One day after potting the overtime winner against the Mississauga Rebels on Monday, the Alliston native scored a hat trick on Tuesday as the Colts cruised to a 5-1 win over the Ottawa Valley Titans at the year-end showcase tournament in Toronto.
One of the top teams in the province, Barrie's U16 AAA team has been the No. 2-ranked team in Ontario for most of the season. The Colts come into the tournament as Ontario Minor Hockey Association (OMHA) champions.
The OHL Cup features the top U16 teams from around Ontario. The tournament is one last opportunity for scouts and fans to see many of the top U16 AAA players from across Ontario and parts of the United States compete in a best-on-best format prior to the 2024 OHL Priority Selection on April 12 and 13.
Barrie opened the tournament on Monday with a 3-2 overtime win over the Mississauga Rebels.
The Barrie Jr. Colts faced the Ottawa Valley Titans on Tuesday afternoon and skated to a 5-1 win, powered by Amidovski's hat-trick performance. He was named team MVP for the second straight game after scoring the overtime winner on Monday. Amidovski is tied for the scoring lead at the tournament.
Ottawa Valley opened the scoring just four minutes into Tuesday's game, but it was all Barrie after that. Scoring for the Colts were Amidovski with a pair, followed by Luca Astri, Logan Hawery and then another from Amidovski to close it out.
Barrie's Alex McLean picked up four assists in the victory, while Brock Chitaroni had a pair of helpers. Goalie Jason Schaubel made 13 saves to pick up the win.
“Obviously they were able to get the first one, and we really fought through some adversity to get back in the game. A couple nice goals from Amidovski and we got to work, which ultimately helped us beat them," McLean said on the OHL Cup website.
The young forward said his team has been able to gel all season.
“Over the year, we have had some great chemistry. (Amidovski) feeds me the puck when I want it, I feed him the puck when he wants it. We always know where each other are and he’s able to put the puck in the back of the net," McLean said of his linemate. "We just make things happen out there."
Barrie takes on Elgin-Middlesex at 10 a.m. this morning as the Colts look to keep their unblemished record intact. Team NOHA will be their next opponent at 7 p.m. tonight.
The 2024 OHL Cup, which is being hosted by the Greater Toronto Hockey League, got underway Monday in Toronto with three wild-card play-in games, along with 14 additional match-ups on the round-robin schedule. The tournament continues Thursday with semifinal action and concludes with Saturday’s championship final at the Mattamy Athletic Centre.
For more information on the tournament, including scores and a schedule, click here.
