Luca Ciampini is a big part of the Halifax Mooseheads’ future, but he’s proving to be an important factor in the present, too.
With leading scorer Martin Frk away at a world junior tryout, the 16-year-old rookie left-winger stepped up and scored a pair of goals as the Herd dumped the Bathurst Titan 5-0 on Wednesday.
Ciampini, selected second overall in last June’s draft, also scored a goal Sunday and has showed little rust since returning from nagging concussion problems that sidelined him for 14 games.
“He’s got a knack,” said Mooseheads head coach and owner Bobby Smith. “He’s one of those guys who’s around the net a lot and the puck seems to follow him around.”
Even with injuries, Ciampini has five goals and seven assists for 12 points in 20 games and is on pace for one of the best 16-year-old campaigns in franchise history.
Along with second-year centre Brent Andrews and rookie right-winger Alex Souligny, Ciampini’s line was a catalyst against the Titan.
“They were very good,” Smith said.
“They all had chances and they were a really strong line.”
The Mooseheads, 11-23-0-1, visit the Moncton Wildcats tonight and host the Titan on Saturday at 7 p.m. at the Metro Centre.
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