Alessandro Nano Junior Review

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Alessandro Nano was born in Moscow while his dad Paolo played for the then expansion team.  Normally Italians aren't very interested in hockey but with Alessandro growing up in Moscow he was surrounded by the game plus he wanted to be just like dad.  Alessando started his hockey career playing in the Bolzano minor system where his father's career began . However once Alessandro was serious about hockey the Nanos decided to spend winters in Moscow so that Alessandro could get the best hockey education possible.  With Paolo's contacts in Russia and the fact that hockey isn't that important in Italy it was only inevitable that he'd end up in Moscow. Sure it would be great to grow up in warm southern Italy or stay up north in Bolzano where you don't get the brutal Russian winters but Alessandro wanted to play hockey so off to Russia they went with summers spent training in the beautiful Amalfi coast in Italy.

 

 

After leaving Italy for Russia,  Alessandro played in the Russian junior league for the Krasnaya Armiya or the Red Army who are the affiliates of CSKA Moscow.  The Red Army has shaped Alessandro into the player he is today.  He's a defenseman like his father however that is where the similarities end as Paolo was more of a softer offensive player where as Alessandro is a physical defenseman who isn't afraid to make the pass to start a breakout.  Alessandro started out playing like his father as a player who rarely hit until one day he got pissed off and started to throw his weight around.  After hitting a few players he fell in love with that part of the game.   Alessandro has always lead his team in both hits and penalty minutes but in his final season in Moscow he lead the whole league in those categories.  He also had his best offensive performance of his junior career finishing in the top 5 in scoring for a defenseman. Alessandro's excellent play led to a championship for the Red Army as he was named MVP and even scored the cup winning goal which was surprising as he doesn't score too many .  After the success in Moscow, Alessandro decided to take the next career step and play in the VHLM.  He chose to play with the Saskatoon wild as that's where his father started his career and he has always wanted to be like dad but with a physical presence.  Alessandro hopes to one day make the VHL and win the continental cup, something that eluded his father as Moscow won it just after Paolo's retirement.  But before Alessando can make that step we will need to see how his VHLM career progresses and then likely on to the new VHLE league