SERPA SPENDING FINAL MONTHS OF OHL CAREER IN OSHAWA

from February 18th vs Guelph Storm: Game Day Playbook

Up Close With the Home Team

Joseph Serpa first laced up his OHL skates for the Kitchener Rangers in 2018. Serpa was drafted by the Rangers 77th overall, in the 4th round of the 2018 OHL Priority Selection, and made his OHL debut that just a few months later on October 27th against the Oshawa Generals.

It was on February 21st of the same season that he earned his first career point, an assist against the Niagara IceDogs.

The Cambridge, Ont., native broke onto the full time roster the next season, in 2019-2020, appearing in 50 games for the Rangers. On December 18th, 2019, Serpa would score the first goal of his OHL career against the Owen Sound Attack. It was the first of five goals in his first full season.

Following the cancelled 2020-2021 season, a 19-yearold Serpa took the Rangers offense by storm, winning the attention of not only his coaches, but the fans as well.

In 62 games in 2021-2022, Serpa scored a new career high of 20 goals and 49 assists for 69 points in the regular season. With the best season of his career behind him, Serpa entered the playoffs and oneupped himself, scoring another six goals and nine assists in just 12 games. Serpa finished second in Rangers scoring that season, behind only Mike Petizian’s 70 points. Serpa played six fewer games than his teammate. www.bloomfieldgardens.ca

Caught on a roster trying to build a championship team, while also staying young enough to not shoot themselves in the foot, Serpa was amongst those traded away from the Rangers in the 20222023 season. In his first 25 games with the Rangers, Serpa had already scored half his goal totals from a season before.

On December 13th, Serpa was acquired by the Oshawa Generals, along with three draft choices, while Lleyton Moore went the other way to the Rangers.

The 2002 forward took a few games to settle into the new systems with new teammates, but has begun to find ways onto the scoresheet as an Oshawa General. In 13 games with his new team so far, Serpa has scored three goals and added two assists for five points, including his thrilling overtime winner against the Mississauga Steelheads on January 3rd.

After Boston Bruins prospect and then team leader in points Brett Harrison was traded, it was clear Serpa was brought in as an overage forward to not only lead in the dressing room, but add that extra oomph of offense that may have been missing without Harrison in the lineup.

Serpa may only be a Generals for the next two months, but Gens fans should be excited with what he brings to the organization both on and off the ice for the rest of the 2022-2023 season.