Blueliner D'Amato Joining REDS
(FREDERICTON, NB) The UNB REDS men’s hockey team is adding defenceman Luca D’Amato, of Maple, Ontario, to their recruiting class of 2025.
The soon-to-be 21-year-old has signed a U SPORTS Letter of Intent and will join the seven-time defending Atlantic University Sport champions ahead of the 2025-2026 season.
“He’s a dynamic offensive defenceman who’ll be relied upon to create opportunities from the back end, both when we’re five-on-five and on the powerplay,” said REDS head coach Rob Hennigar.
D’Amato recently completed a four-year major junior career that saw him skate in 272 regular season games with the Flint Firebirds and Oshawa Generals of the Ontario Hockey League. He scored 33 goals and registered 117 assists during that time.
In 66 post-season games, D’Amato helped Flint to the OHL’s 2022 Western Conference Final and the Generals to consecutive appearances, in 2024 and 2025, in the league’s championship series.
“We’re excited to add Luca to our group and look forward to watching him excel at UNB,” said Coach Hennigar. “He can make plays in the offensive zone, has a great first pass, and can run the powerplay.”
“What led me to UNB was their winning culture,” said D’Amato. “The chance to be part of a competitive team was a major factor in my decision. I want to be part of their continued success.”
D’Amato describes himself as a two-way defenceman with strong skating skills and a high hockey IQ.
“I believe Coach Hennigar brought me to UNB with the intention of contributing to the team’s success. From my performance this past season, I think he recognized qualities that could enhance our chances of winning.”
D’Amato joins former Oshawa teammate Luke Torrance in UNB’s 2025 recruiting class.
“Luke and I discussed the opportunity at UNB, and we were both very impressed with what they had to offer,” said D’Amato. “We agreed that it was an excellent fit for us, and I’m excited to play with Luke again.”
Coach Hennigar says the extended seasons D’Amato has seen recently will benefit the REDS.
“His run with Oshawa the last two seasons has seen him grow his game,” said Hennigar. “We think he’s just scratching the surface on what he can be.”
D’Amato will study Business while attending UNB.
STORY BY: Andy Campbell/UNB Athletics
PHOTO BY: Goodall Media/Oshawa Generals