Thorold Blackhawks coach/general manager Scott Barnes isn’t big on bringing back players from higher levels of junior, but he was more than happy to make an exception for Adrian Diodati. 

The 18-year-old Niagara Falls native played last season with the Blackhawks before moving to the Navan Grads of the Central Canadian Hockey League this season.

But Diodati had some off-ice concerns which pulled him home and contacted Barnes just after Christmas to see if there would be a fit to return.

“I knew I wanted to say loyal,” Diodati said. “When I was younger, Scott always gave me the opportunity and I liked what the team was doing this year. There’s a lot of returning players and some young guys who have come in.”

Barnes was thrilled to add Diodati.

“I was real happy to have him back,” Barnes said. “I don’t like trying to bring guys back from higher levels. Some teams in our league try to load up on those guys but my philosophy is I’m trying to move guys on, I’m not trying to bring guys back. I never go out talking to kids about coming back but in this instance it was for reasons other than hockey. 

“It was a perfect fit. I was looking for another top six player, somebody with size and he’s both of those.”

Diodati has a goal and an assist in six games since his return playing with Wyatt Gibson and Nathan Kelly.

“It’s a great feeling the coaching staff and my teammates have the trust in me,” Diodati said. “I wasn’t really getting that opportunity in Ottawa so it took a few games to adjust back into that role. 

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