Since he was three-years-old Dominic Chiappelli, a junior at Clarkston High School, has been a natural on the ice.
‘He kind of took off. Most kids wobble around out there, but he took to it right away,? said Dominic’s father Dan Chiappelli.
Chiappelli’s blades continue to churn as he recently was one of two Michigan residents to be invited to the NHL Pre-cup draft camp this summer. The camp, attended by 20-25 NHL scouts and scores of scouts from the United States Hockey League and collegiate programs, features players from the USHL as well as teams from foreign countries like Russia and Canada.
Adding to the significance of his invitation to the pre-cup, Chiappelli is the only player invited in the United States who does not currently play in the USHL. The 6?2?, 180-pound, soon to be 17-year-old is looking forward to the amped up competition level.
‘I believe that you are only as good as the weakest player on your team; and if you have a great team around you that only makes you better,? Chiappelli said.
The camp’s reach, as far as scout ing, goes farther than the smattering of games Chiappelli will play over the two-week run. All the pre-cup’s participants are tracked after attending as they return to international junior or USHL teams. In a sense Chiappelli’s appearance at the pre-cup will put him on a national scouting radar.
‘I hope for the best. I’d love to get a college scholarship,? Chiappelli said.
The scouts should have plenty of opportunities to watch Chiappelli, whose ever-proud father views as a power forward with an innate ability to find his teammates with the puck. He is slated to attend three USHL camps this summer; and having won the junior chowder cup with his AAA team the Compuware Midget Majors last year, the team was invited back to play in the senior chowder cup this summer.
‘He has a grueling summer ahead of him,? Dan Chiappelli said.
All of this exposure may lead to tough decisions down the road as Chiappelli and his family are already mulling over his options should he be drafted later in the summer by a USHL team. The decision to jump to Junior A or stick around for his senior year at CHS while continuing to play AAA is one Chiappelli is glad he does not have to make right now.
‘That’s a decision he’ll have to make for himself,? Dan Chiappelli said.
Chiappelli has made tough choices in the past though in regard to his hockey career. He shares classes and hallways with the Clarkston varsity hockey team players, but due to MHSAA rules, Chiappelli is forced to either play AAA hockey or for his high school, a regulation he laments.
‘I have so many friends here and I’d love to play with them. There are great players on (the varsity) team,? Chiappelli said.
Aside from hockey, Chiappelli enjoys hunting and fishing, and back before going to year round hockey enjoyed playing lacrosse. He has lived with his father and mother, Barb, in Clarkston since he was in the eighth grade.