WATERLOO, Ont. - Looking to rebound from a tough season, the Golden Hawks men's hockey team is pleased to announce the newest additions to the roster for the 2025-26 season.
This year's first batch of recruits features four student-athletes who will bring consistency, grit, and speed to the young lineup.
Name: Luke Della Croce
Position: Forward
Prior Team: Elmira Sugar Kings
Hometown: Guelph, Ont.
"We needed to add offence and Luke is a player that is capable of providing that for us," said Laurier's manager of men's hockey operations and head coach Kevin Forrest.
The 2024-25 Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League (GOJHL) Western Conference All-Star is a dynamic offensive threat with an impressive track record to attest to it. Della Croce finished the regular season sitting first in the league in goals with 39, tallying 39 assists, and a second-best points total with 78.
While adding pace and creativity to the lineup, Forrest also noted that Della Croce will help the team in the faceoff dot to improve the team's 5-on-5 play.
"Laurier stood out because of its excellent academic programs and the strong support they offer to athletes. I'm looking forward to the upcoming season being part of the team and winning games. I can't wait to represent the purple and gold on the ice," Della Croce said.
Name: Alec McDonald
Position: Defense
Prior Team: Kemptville 73's
Hometown: Clearwater, Florida
Standing at 6'5", McDonald adds sheer size and power to the Golden Hawks lineup. As a defensive defenseman, he takes care of his zone first, shutting down opposing players with his reach and physicality.
A strength in his game is his ability to defend the crease while allowing the goalies to see shots and loose pucks. This too is an area Forrest wants the team to clean up to limit second-chance shots.
On top of his defence-first mindset, McDonald can make smart decisions and move the puck well under pressure. He will bolster the blue line and be a reliable, stable presence on the back end.
Forrest said McDonald "plays a very similar style of game to former Golden Hawk Steve MacLean," a disciplined, shut-down defenseman.
Name: Ethan Szabo
Position: Forward
Prior Team: Brantford Titans
Hometown: St. George, Ont.
Szabo had a break-out 2024-25 season for the Titans with 32 goals and 37 assists for 69 points and had a great playoff run with five goals and four assists in 10 games.
Another area the Golden Hawks are looking to improve on is the power play and penalty kill, and Szabo can play both. He had eight power-play goals and an impressive five short-handed goals.
"Szabo is a true 200-foot player who consistently took over games at both ends of the ice. His ability to make plays in all situations will make him an immediate asset at our level. We're excited to add his blend of pace, skill, and compete to our roster," Forrest said.
Szabo's on-ice performance led to off-ice accolades as he was selected for the league's and Eastern Conference's all-star team, and took home the GOJHL MVP.
Szabo said that heading into the 2025-26 season, the Golden Hawks have the resources at hand to surprise a lot of teams in the OUA.
Name: Alexandr Siletskiy
Position: Forward
Prior Team: Milton Menace
Hometown: Moscow, Russia
In two seasons with the Menace, Siletskiy recorded 17 goals, 33 assists, and 50 total points. His team made it all the way to the Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL) Championship and finished as the runner-up, showing his ability to perform under pressure.
"Alex is one of those relentless, high-energy guys who can grab momentum for your team with his consistent physicality and create some havoc around the net," Forrest said.
Much of his physicality comes from his skill in winning board battles that will keep the Golden Hawks on the attack while limiting the opponent's rush chances.
Forrest says that Siletskiy is a player who "Comes to the rink with an unconditional attitude and effort every day that can be contagious around the room."
