Wolves Tender Canterbury Captain Giovanni LaRusso for 2026-27 Season

The West Chester Wolves NCDC have announced the tender of forward Giovanni LaRusso for the 2026-27 season.

A native of Denver, Colorado, LaRusso brings a strong combination of size, skill, and leadership to the Wolves lineup. Standing at 6’3” and over 200 pounds, the 2007-born forward spent the past several seasons developing at the prestigious Canterbury School program in Connecticut, where he served as captain during the 2025-26 season.

LaRusso continued to elevate his game this past year, recording 19 points in 31 games while taking on a major leadership role for Canterbury. Prior to prep hockey, he also spent time with the Northern Cyclones 17U AAA program and the Colorado Thunderbirds AAA organization.

Wolves Head Coach and General Manager R.C. Lyke believes LaRusso fits exactly what the organization looks for in an NCDC player.

“Giovanni is a player we identified early as someone who competes the right way every shift,” said Lyke. “He is a high character young man, who has a strong frame, plays a heavy north-south game, and brings strong leadership qualities that are difficult to teach. We’re excited to help continue his development and welcome him to the Wolves family.”

Associate Head Coach and Assistant General Manager Tyler Casillo echoed those sentiments while pointing to LaRusso’s upside heading into junior hockey.

“What stands out immediately with Giovanni is his work ethic and willingness to play in all areas of the ice,” said Casillo. “He has the tools to make an impact in our lineup, and we believe his best hockey is still ahead of him. He’s the type of player that fits the culture we’re building here.”

The Wolves continue building their roster for the upcoming NCDC season after a strong inaugural campaign in one of junior hockey’s most competitive divisions.