Vincent Nardone was playing with the Nord Sélects Midget Espoir in the QMEAA in the 2015-2016 season. He scored four goals and had 13 assists that season and he did so being just five-foot-four.
He was always the underdog, he was a guy that did his business and did so under the radar, but it was always a goal of his to prove his doubters wrong. In just the third game of the season the following year, Nardone broke his leg. After months of hard work, the Montreal native returned to action in January of 2017 and he was very productive. He had 18 points in 17 regular-season games and he added another three assists in the postseason.
Two seasons in the QMEAA were all that Nardone would play as he joined the Saint-Eustache Vikings who play in the Quebec Midget AAA Hockey League, Quebec's top U18 league. Apparently, a new team also brought on some height for the new King as he grew more than six inches and was now five-foot-11.
With the Vikings, Nardone tickled the twine 13 times in 40 regular-season games and he also had 22 assists. In 11 playoff games, Vincent scored another two goals while adding five assists.
The team went 25-14-1 that season before they were eliminated by the Booms in the playoffs, a team that advanced to the league final. After that season he made the move to Manitoba to begin his junior days. Playing in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League, Vincent would join the Flin Flon Bombers and he immediately enjoyed success. In 65 games including the playoffs, he had 42 points, 19 of which were goals.
The Montreal native always had a dream of playing hockey collegiately, but he didn't have a scholarship to show for it... until he showed the scouts what he could really do during his time with the Bombers.
On Monday, September 24 playing against the Melville Millionaires in the SJHL Showcase, Nardone scored one goal in a 4-0 win. Nardone was held off the scoresheet one day later against Yorkton; however, he impressed several scouts, including ones from the University of Nebraska-Omaha.
Just two months later, Vincent signed on the dotted line as he will now join the Division 1 hockey team next season. A few years prior, Vincent was always seen as the underdog and he was just five-foot-four. Now, he knows where he is heading to play college hockey.
"Those two games at the showcase were honestly the best games I have ever played in my life," said Nardone. "I played with a ton of confidence and I was able to impress the scouts. It all just happened so fast, I never thought things would move as fast as they did. It's a pretty incredible feeling knowing where I'll be playing college hockey."
After the one season with Flin Flon, Nardone made the move to British Columbia as he joined the Penticton Vees, one of the best franchises in Canadian Junior Hockey League history. The Vees were stacked in the 2019-2020 season so Nardone only played 22 games with the team before he was dealt to the Victoria Grizzlies, another member of the BCHL.
In those 22 games, Nardone scored four goals and added four assists. The Vees went 44-12-1-1 last season and they won their first series before the playoffs were ended.
Victoria also advanced to the playoffs; however, they were eliminated in just four games. Nardone chalked up another seven goals and 14 assists with the Grizzlies.
"I didn't really get much playing time with Penticton because they were so good, but I played pretty well when I was given a chance," offered Nardone. "I played with confidence in Victoria and although we didn't have as strong of a team, I still enjoyed my time in the BCHL, it's a great league."
Dauphin bound:
Back in early June, Doug Hedley made a trade with Victoria that saw the team acquire the Montreal native in exchange for future considerations. Months after the trade, Nardone is here in Dauphin and he's very excited to get things going, but Nardone's journey over the past month or so has been very interesting.
He originally had a plan to play in the United States Hockey League (USHL) this season; however, those plans fell through. So he went back to his hometown where he had to quarantine for two weeks. Right after quarantining in Quebec, he came to Dauphin where he had to quarantine for another two weeks so, in a matter of 34 days, Nardone spent 28 days in quarantine.
He got out of quarantine last Wednesday and he skated at Credit Union Place for the first time with the rest of the team members that didn't travel to Portage that night to conclude the preseason.
"It's been fantastic here so far, everyone has treated me extremely well and this is a great organization," said Nardone. "I really believe coming to Dauphin was a great move for me and I can't wait to get things going on Friday night."
Dominant trio:
This year's Dauphin Kings roster is extremely deep from top to bottom and heading into the season, it looks like the Club could have the best first line in the league. Nardone is paired with Grady Hobbs and Koby Morrisseau. Hobbs was last year's most valuable player and he's also a Division 1 commit.
Morrisseau has played in the Western Hockey League and he has shown in the past that he can take over a game. The three combined for 149 points last season. They have been on a line together all week at practice as they look to get things going for real on Friday.
(Nardone who is defended by Owen Wareham cuts towards Mathias Savoie who will be Matthias Smith's backup this season)
"Both players are extremely talented. Morrisseau plays with a ton of confidence and he's extremely strong," offered Nardone. "Grady is really fast, he has a great shot, and he always works as hard as possible. Both of those players can make great things happen. It's a pretty great opportunity for me to play with them, I like to pass and I know they can both finish."
You can hear Darnell Duff's full interview with Vincent during the Dauphin Kings Power Play Show after the 4:00 p.m. news, weather, and sports. Also, don't forget to listen to tonight's broadcast with Darnell starting at 7:00 p.m. with the Parkland Source for Sports pregame show.
