Camp Confidential: Leading Scorers and Diego Buttazzoni
September 4, 2022 – Western Hockey League (WHL) – Portland Winterhawks News Release
Before the Neely Cup champion is crowned today, let’s take a look at some of the top scorers from camp.
After three days, James Stefan (4G-4A) and Diego Buttazzoni (5G-3A) lead all players with eight points and Gabe Klassen paces the tournament with seven goals. Returning forwards Jonah Bevington and Luke Schelter round out the top five scorers with seven and six points, respectively.
It’s not surprising to see a heavy veteran influence atop the statistic leaderboard, but a 16-year-old in Buttazzoni who has never played in a Western Hockey League game co-leading the pack is quite an accomplishment.
PORTLAND, OR – SEPTEMBER 2: Diego Buttazzoni (right) and teammate Jeremy Kraft (No.3) and Nathan Brown (left) battling in front of Team Pouliot’s net for possession (Photo credit: Keith Dwiggins)
“It feels great, good to be playing games again,” Buttazzoni said. “I worked hard this summer to get ready for bigger and stronger guys. I think it has helped me a lot. I prepared well for this and it is good to see good players here with great competition. It has been great so far.”
Buttazzoni, who was acquired two weeks ago from the Medicine Hat Tigers, posted excellent numbers last season playing as an underage skater with Burnaby Winter Club U18 Prep. He scored 54 points in 32 games and saw a late-season call-up to the British Columbia Hockey League to play against older players. Despite his younger age, he stands strong with a 5-foot-10, 182-pound frame and has all the tools to be an everyday WHL skater under Head Coach Mike Johnston’s system.
“I feel like I’m a 200-foot player. I usually play center, but like playing both defense and offense,” the Langley, B.C. native said. “I can be out there with a minute left down by one or up by one. I like to finish chances, I see the ice really well, and I rely a lot on my hockey IQ. I like to make good plays out of nothing and make players around me better.”
The players around him have certainly been made better by him this week as Team Carruth finished atop the Neely Cup standings. Often paired on a line with 2022 WHL Prospects Draft pick Ryan Miller and returning winger Marcus Nguyen, Buttazzoni and Team Carruth will compete Sunday for the Neely Cup crown.
“It is a great opportunity with good players out here,” Buttazzoni said.
“I enjoy playing with great players. I got ready for it and the work is paying off.”
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