Last season, the 5’10” left shot from Montreal scored 66 points (24g,42A) in 45 games to lead Shattuck St. Mary’s 16U (37-6-3) in scoring despite being one of the team's youngest players.
After playing Bantam hockey with the Lac St. Louis Lions, La Starza moved to SSM in Minnesota, scoring 69 points (31G,38A) for the Sabres' 14U team. Following the season, he scored a team-best seven goals in five games for All-American Prospects at the WSI U15 and led the team with an 8-4-12 line in five games at the 2019 Chowder Cup, earning the MVP award for the '04 Division. (Jack Musa, who committed last week, was MVP of the '03 Division).
NEHJ’s Jeff Cox calls La Starza "one of the more highly regarded Canadian players in his birth year" whose "skating, puck skills and hockey sense are all high-end." In a Quebec Major Junior Hockey League draft preview, he noted:
I’ve seen La Starza several times with Shattuck-St. Mary’s and in a couple of summer showcases in New England. La Starza was the best player in the Junior Chowder Cup last summer. He produces because of his shiftiness and ability to make plays in small areas. His edge work was very good and he was able to get space for himself and his teammates. Rated 10th by QMJHL Central Scouting, La Starza has signed a tender to play with Waterloo in the USHL.
When he accepted the Waterloo tender, La Starza explained, "My family and I we really value education and the USHL was the best route for me to get to college hockey."
"Michael is a highly-gifted offensive forward with exceptional offensive instincts,” noted Black Hawks General Manager Shane Fukushima.
● Elite Prospects Page
● USHL.com LaStarza steps into Blackhawks’ plans
Looking back
● U Show: Episode 23 John McCarthy
● NHL.com McCarthy retires
Former Terrier Alex Chiasson, one of 16 Terriers rostered for the the NHL Round Robin, was the first to score a goal, finding the net--and adding a assist--in Edmonton's 6-3 win over Chicago. (Video highlights)
The next night Bonino scored for Nashville and Clayton Keller scored for Arizona in a 4-2 win for the Predators, coached by John Hynes. (Video highlights)
►NHL.com: Former NHL players Mike Grier and Bryce Salvador will coach an all-minority team at a New England hockey tournament this weekend. Our @WDouglasNHL has the story.