Forgione and Fleming Make the Jump to the Junior Level
Former AAA and COE teammates part ways to compete in the OHL and USHL
The path forward from the youth levels of hockey is a forked road with multiple options for leagues and several options for teams. Understanding these options and making the right decision for your future can be daunting is only half the battle; the other half comes down to coaches and teams. This season two TPH Detroit student-athletes, P.J. Forgione and Landon Fleming, approached the fork in the road and picked their path onto the junior hockey level.
In September, P.J. inked his contract with the Saginaw Spirit of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), while Landon announced his commitment to play for the Madison Capitols of the United States Hockey League (USHL). TPH Detroit is proud of the success of these two former student-athletes and views their accomplishments as a testament to the program’s ability to produce high-performing talent.
The two defensemen were classmates at the Center of Excellence (CoE) during the 2020-21 school year, but their friendship goes back much further than that. Dwayne Norris, the Detroit CoE actually coached the two earlier in their careers when they played for the Oakland Jr. Grizzlies. Norris says their potential was clear from the very beginning and that he is extremely proud to have watched the two athletes grow into leaders both on and off the ice.
“I know I speak for the entire TPH organization when I say that we couldn’t be more excited for Forgione. and his new opportunity with Saginaw,” says TPH Player Development Coach & Mentor, Greg Wolfe. “P.J. is a player of high character and work ethic. He shows up at the rink every day, ready to give 100%. There is no doubt P.J. will be an asset for Saginaw, and I can’t wait to see how he continues to develop at the next level.” P.J. has played in all three of the Spirit’s preseason games so far, and netted his first goal of the 2021 preseason on September 18th.
“Landon is a player that improved his focus and attention to detail throughout last year, both on and off the ice. We are ecstatic to see that tireless work ethic payoff as he advances to play in Madison of the USHL this season,” says Dwayne Norris, the Director & Head of Hockey at the TPH Center of Excellence in Detroit. Landon has seen ice time in each of his preseason games with the Capitols, who are ranked second in the USHL Eastern Conference and boast a 3-1 preseason record.
These two young men have had a relatively similar background in training and youth organizations, and have taken the jump to the top junior leagues in both Canada and the United States. TPH wishes them the best in their upcoming seasons and moving forward through life. To learn more about the TPH CoE model, and how it can help student-athletes reach their full potential in academics and athletics, please visit our website.
About TPH
Total Package Hockey was founded in 2001 and began operations in 2004 in Ontario, Canada. TPH seeks to become the world leader in positively impacting the lives of student-athletes, all ages and skill levels through sports. TPH platforms include association management, elite prospects programs, tournaments and showcases, camps and clinics, and its hallmark Center of Excellence academy model, serving over 10,000 student-athletes annually throughout 16 U.S.-based divisions. TPH prides itself on taking a holistic approach, one that emphasizes the development of the individual in four ways:
- As a player within a team setting
- As an athlete, dedicated to reaching their physical potential
- As a student, working to achieve their academic goals
- As a person striving to win the ultimate game, and that’s the game of life
