The Sydney Ice Dogs are excited to announce the signing of import Nathan Chiarlitti to the team for the 2018 AIHL season.

Chiarlitti, who hails from the small town of Maple, about 40 minutes outside of Toronto, Canada, moved away at age 16 to begin playing Major Junior in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). The defenseman skated for the Sarnia Sting and Owen Sound Attack in over 300 regular season and 22 postseason games, recording 16 goals, 74 assists for 90 points, and 242 penalty minutes. His teammates included the Colorado Avalanche’s Nail Yakupov, Montreal Canadiens' Alex Galchenyuk and the New York Rangers' Ryan Spooner.

Recording 66 points in 130 games over five seasons in the CIS, Chiarlitti captained the McGill Redmen to the 2018 Queens Cup as the top university team in Ontario. He was again nominated for the Dr Randy Gregg Award which recognises the player who exhibits excellence on the ice, in the classroom and the community, an award he won in 2016. The 6’0", 84kg skater also played for Canada at the U-18 world championships.

The import first heard about Australia and the AIHL from former teammates and AIHL players Gabriel O’Connor (Adelaide Adrenaline '16) and Steve Kuhn (Newcastle Northstars '17).

Chiarlitti describes himself as "not the flashiest player, but... a hard worker who plays a solid 200-foot game. Look for me to compete on both sides of the puck.” He is expected to fit right in on the Ice Dogs new and improved blueline this coming season.

Coach Petrie, who has been in contact with Chiarlitti for a couple of years now, describes him as a "quality person and natural leader who can contribute offensively while being a defensive leader on the ice."

Off the ice, the 26-year-old is looking forward to involving himself in the Australian culture and ticking some items off the bucket list - which includes learning to surf and watching a rugby game. Chiarlitti says he is also looking forward to “meeting new people, travelling around Australia and being able to keep playing hockey for a couple more months."

Nathan Chiarlitti and the Ice Dogs hit the ice on April 21st against the Newcastle Northstars at Macquarie Ice Rink.

Memberships for the 2018 season are now on sale at: https://goo.gl/98tNLs