Cougars Sign Defenceman

By 250 Sports

Prince George, BC - The Prince George Cougars have signed 16-year old defenceman Mattia Bortolotto to a standard Western Hockey League contract.

Bortolotto becomes the first 16-year old American to sign with the Cougars.  The product of San Mateo, California is 5’9” tall and weighs 190 pounds and played last season with the San Jose Jr. Sharks Midget Under-18 team, where he will play again this year.  His coach in San Jose is Cougars scout Tony Zasowski.

“This is a very exciting day for the Cougars organization to get a player of Mattia Bortolotto’s caliber,” says Cougars Assistant General Manager and Director of Player Personnel Wade Klippenstein.  “Mattia is one of the best young defencemen in the state of California and we can’t wait to see him in a Cougars uniform.  He is an excellent compliment to an already blooming young defence corps with Jesse Forsberg, Josh Smith, Dane Phaneuf and Shane Pilling.”

Bortolotto is equally excited about becoming a future Cougar.  “This has been a dream of mine to play in the Western Hockey League.  I’m really glad to join the organization.  After being in Prince George and hanging out with some of the players, I feel like I’ll fit in perfect with the team.  I’m just really excited that I signed.”

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