Robert F. Hall student, Brett Appio, will be traveling to Sarnia to play OHL hockey with the Sting. Submitted Photo After innumerable years of early morning practices and eight days a week spent at the rink, Bolton's Brett Appio has moved on from his humble hometown hockey roots and will be playing the 2008-09 season for the Sarnia Sting of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL).

Learning to skate went hand in hand with learning to walk, as the left-winger played with Caledon rep Hawks from tyke select and novice AA until his peewee year took him to the Vaughan Kings AAA team of the Greater Toronto Hockey League (GTHL).

Appio remained in the GTHL with the Mississauga Rebels into his minor midget year (2006-07) where he was traded to the Mississauga Ice Dogs under the coaching and guidance of Cosmo Nardone. As this season went down in the books, the team won everything from the Silver Stick Tournament, the Jon Maire tournament, as well as they were the GTHL regular season and playoff champions. The team also won the Promittere and OHL cups.

With such a year behind them, and entering their 2007 Minor Midget OHL draft, it was then that Appio saw his hard work and dedication pay off when he was drafted by the Sting.

The 17-year-old decided though to take another year to develop his skills by returning to the GTHL league to play his midget year with the Mississauga reps (AAA).

Looking ahead to this season, Appio committed early with the Bramalea Blues of the Ontario Provincial Junior 'A' Hockey League, affiliated with the Ontario Hockey Association. But, working hard throughout the year Brett received positive feedback at the Sting spring camp, and with his perseverance and commitment was asked to sign by Sarnia to play in this season.

Appio will be well missed by his peers at Robert F. Hall Catholic Secondary School, his older sister Candice and his proud parents Danny and Karen.