Instead, in 2017-18, he suited up in 12 games for the Jacksonville Icemen (ECHL), scoring six points and adding 30 PIM.īefore Christmas 2017, though, he made one final move, joining the Acadia Axemen (USports). However, despite tryout agreements, he didn’t play a game for them.

What happened to this fan favourite?ĭiGiacinto was originally a sixth-round pick by the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2016. Dave Jewell/THWĪfter the Spitfires won the championship, much of the roster was dismantled, either via trade or graduation, including DiGiacinto. Windsor Spitfires’ Cristiano DiGiacinto signs autographs for fans during the 2017 Memorial Cup Parade. He became one of those most popular players on the team. The fans loved him, and it was reciprocated. He did it all with 149 points and 369 penalty minutes in 223 games from 2013 to 2017. DiGiacinto brought exactly what the Spitfires and its fans loved – grit, offence, and leadership. Having been without a first-round pick that off-season due to league sanctions, Rychel wasn’t taking any chances. Soon after heading back to Hamilton, Rychel saw the opportunity and jumped at it. He attended their camp as a free agent, but after not playing in any pre-season games, was cut by the club. The 5-foot-11, 183-pound Hamilton, Ontario-native was passed over in both the 20 OHL Drafts but drew the attention of the Erie Otters to start the 2013-14 season. One of them – forward Cristiano DiGiacinto. Over a stretch of five seasons, though, he also went all-in for free agents, finding those serious diamonds in the rough. He did it with gusto and rarely apologized. Forward Cristiano DiGiacintoįormer Spitfires’ general manager Warren Rychel was known for making the big trade, whether it was to buy or rebuild. Sit back as we take a look at the new paths set out by four of the players from that historic roster. Some players headed to the pros, while others have gone their own way. From the anticipation to the final game heroics, the parade to the memories, it was a 10-day stretch for the ages. Now, in part three, we examine the most recent title, the 2017 event that saw a city come to life. In part one, we looked at the 2009 Memorial Cup, while part two had a spotlight on the 2010 championship. This is part three of our four-part “Where Are They Now?” series featuring the Spitfires and players of yesterday.

It makes you wonder – what happened to them? It’s been four years since that special season, and the roster has scattered around the world. In 2017, their dream came true with a roster that was built to conquer. However, both were won on the road, and there was still one thing left to accomplish – win the tournament at home. When the Windsor Spitfires won their first two Memorial Cups in 20, an organizational benchmark was set.

Nhl 17 winston spitfires roster