The Dundee Stars have made an exciting addition to their roster by signing forward Tommy Parrottino.
The 25-year-old brings a wealth of talent and experience to the team and is expected to be a key player in their upcoming season.
Hailing from Rochester Hills, Michigan, Parrottino is a versatile forward who can play in any position up front.
His journey to Dundee has been marked by impressive performances at various levels of the game.
During his time in the United States Hockey League with the Des Moines Buccaneers and Youngstown Phantoms, he registered an impressive 50 points (25 goals, 25 assists) in 101 appearances from the middle-six.
Parrottino’s production caught the attention of college scouts, leading him to play four successful seasons in the NCAA with Michigan Tech. He tallied 66 points (37 goals, 29 assists) in 124 games, solidifying his reputation as a solid scorer.
Last season, the American took his talents to the professional circuit for the first time, where he continued to make waves on the ice.
In 68 appearances for the ECHL’s Idaho Steelheads and Iowa Wild, he notched 39 points (23 goals, 16 assists). It was an impressive rookie season that caught the attention of Dundee head coach Marc LeFebvre.
“Tommy is a good young forward, who brings a lot of skill and a lot of skating ability to our line-up,” explained the Canadian. “He had 23 goals as a rookie in the ECHL last year and I do not care who you are, that is a great season for a rookie.
“We know he can put the puck in the net, and we hope he can do that for us because we want to push the pace of the game, and he brings a lot of speed with him as well. He has a great skillset, and we are looking for him to use all his assets to help us win.
“You see some of the goals he scores, he has a great shot, a great finish, and he is going to be a great player for us, and because he is such a young player, the sky is the limit for him. He just has to keep on a great trajectory now and keep his goalscoring ability, obviously we will be working to help transition his game from the North American to the European style as well, and I am looking forward to working with him.”
Analysis: Dundee Stars roll the dice on Tommy Parrottino as 13th summer signing
With the addition of Tommy Parrottino, the Dundee Stars aim to move up the Elite League standings.
The 6-foot forward’s goal-scoring prowess and adaptability make him a valuable asset to the team’s ambitions to compete for a playoff berth next season.
“I am very excited and delighted to get out there and get started,” explained the Michigan native.
“It was a hard decision with family and friends and the life side of things but the hockey side was a no-brainer, I have heard great things about the city, so I am excited.
“I have heard good things about the Elite League and that it is steadily improving, more and more guys are going over there and having success, and that sounded very appealing to me. I am definitely coming over with the idea that we are going to win and going to win it all, you have to hate losing more than you love winning.”
Tommy Parrottino, now of the Dundee Stars (Image: Michigan Tech)
Despite the intrigue surrounding Parrottino’s signing, it is important to acknowledge that this move comes with several risks.
While his impressive performances in North America have caught the attention of many, transitioning to life in Dundee, with difficult Elite League travel, has proven difficult for seasoned professionals in the past.
However, LeFebvre’s belief in Parrottino’s potential and the team’s commitment to supporting his development suggests that the Stars are willing to take this calculated risk in the hopes of unlocking the young forward’s full potential.
Time will tell if Parrottino can seamlessly transition his game and become a pivotal asset in the Stars’ quest for glory.
How will Tommy Parrottino fare in the Elite League? Join the conversation in the comments. Tommy Parrottino
