By Jack Borenstein
Tribune Correspondent
Mitch Goldenberg has worn several hockey uniforms over the years, including B’nai Brith. Safe to say the current Royal Blue color of the defending Ontario Provincial Junior Hockey League champions (OPJAHL), St. Michael’s Buzzers, is fitting him quite nicely today.
The 21-year-old left winger resides in Toronto and while he’s 5-foot, 10 inches and 185 lbs. now, he was a lot smaller when he started playing hockey, as a result of his father playing the sport.
He went through Select Novice and eventually ended up playing Midget AAA with North York Canadiens, Don Mills Flyers and Toronto Marlboros. Michael Chraba, general manager of the Marlboros, recalled him being a talented and skilled player, who brought a solid effort every week to games.
Goldenberg has played in the OPJHL since 2002. In two full seasons with Thornhill he scored 28 goals and 40 assists in 76 games (including 20 goals and 26 assists in 36 games, during the 2003-04 season).
He also has played in the B’nai Brith (Toronto) Hockey League over the past few years. “B’nai Brith hockey has been a lot of fun playing with my family on Jomar Electric,” he said.
The team won Division ‘A’ championship in 2004-05, with Goldenberg scoring 18 goals and 17 assists in 21 regular season games, and was named divisional MVP.”In our last playoff game that went to overtime, I won the faceoff and slid the puck to my brother Jay, who scored the winning goal. With my dad Steven and brother Kyle on the ice at that time, it was a real special moment for all of us.”
Russel Riklis, player/manager of Jomar Electric, said Goldenberg comes by hockey naturally with both parents, a sister, and aforementioned brothers all playing the sport at different times.
“He loves playing hockey, and has been playing with us since his mid teens,” Riklis said. “He’s a terrific player, and a good person as well. It’s a real family affair with Mitch’s father, brothers, uncle Neil Goldenberg and his mother’s brother, David Axelrod, all on this team.”
Goldenberg is attending the University of Guelph, where he is taking courses towards Housing and Real Estate Management. He started playing on the university’s hockey team last season but it wasn’t as enjoyable as expected, and he subsequently withdrew. It wasn’t his intent to play hockey this season, but a situation arose where Thornhill traded his playing rights to Streetsville.
The circumstances proved once more not to be good fit and after briefly being with Milton, he was allowed to become a free agent.
Chris DiPiero is general manager and head coach of St. Michael?s Buzzers, and had been aware of Goldenberg from his time in Thornhill and Streetsville. He said the organization always tracks different opposing players, who could help at key times.
”I remember we called him up while with the Marlboros, and he played well during his
short time with us,” DiPiero said. “When he called mid-December asking to join the team, we were happy to oblige. His temperament and maturity has blended in nicely, and the other players were quick to accept him.”
Goldenberg is very pleased to be a Buzzer. He admitted taking a while to get used to a new playing system in terms of neutral zone, faceoffs and back checking,
“The coaches have been truly amazing, in terms of how they have treated and welcomed me. My junior hockey career may have turned out different, if I had been with this particular team from the start.”
Goldenberg said he’s a good two-way forward, and always tries to get into thick of the action.
“I can make that pass to set up scoring chances, and can contribute goals when needed,” he said.
His favourite player growing up was Doug Gilmour, because he gave it his all every time and during every shift on the ice.
He tallied four goals and four assists in 17 regular season games. with the Buzzers. In the playoffs, as of press time, he has a goal and five assists in nine games. Coach DiPiero said Goldenberg, Braden Irwin and Cassidy Preston had been the team’s best forward line, in their second playoff series against Wexford. “The trio work diligently and eat up the boards, are effective low in the offensive zone and have contributed with power play goals.”
Goldenberg added with both linemates being over six feet tall, it results in the trio being successful going deep in the corners and creating numerous scoring chances.
Goldenberg relaxes during the summer with his favourite hobby, and second favourite sport, golf. He is looking forward to playing hockey in Europe next year, but also has wants to complete his university education at some point. “For now I am very optimistic about the team’s chances of advancing far into the OPJAHL playoffs, like they achieved last season.”
Coach DiPiero stated Goldenberg has proved to be a good two-way player, and chipping in with scoring when possible. “He plays in a determined fashion, and is very responsible at both ends of the rink. If he continues to progress and improve his game, a hockey career in Europe is a real possibility.”
Riklis said the team has missed Mitch this season. “If he’s unable to join us for the B’nai Brith playoffs, it means he’s being successful and contributing to the Buzzers playoff run.”
Mitch Goldenberg?s love and dedication to hockey over the years has brought him to a situation with the Buzzers, where his true potential could be displayed in a possible championship setting. What happens next in his life, hockey or otherwise, will be interesting to see.
Jack Borenstein can be emailed at j_borenstein@hotmail.com.
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