Mansfield’s Copponi in Oilers’ pipeline, looking to break out | Local Sports

In addition, Copponi recently was summoned by the Edmonton Oilers, who selected him with their seventh-round pick in the 2023 NHL draft pick, to attend their annual developmental camp for the second straight year last week.

“I think just never take anything for granted,” Copponi said on the Oilers’ website. “This opportunity that I have to be a part of such an awesome organization, it’s just something that you can’t take for granted, and every day you wake up and you want to be able to live this lifestyle.

“I think just learning the ins and outs, whether it’s the classroom, the hockey rink, or it’s the gym,” Copponi added. “I’ve kind of been looked over a lot in my life, so just continuing to put my head down and work because I believe in myself.”

Copponi was one of 17 players in the Oilers’ pipeline invited to the off-ice camp that included fitness testing, training sessions and off-ice team-building activities.

It was a far cry from his playing days at Mansfield High where, during his 2018-19 sophomore season, he totaled 36 points in 21 games for Hornets coach Mike Balzarini, scoring eight goals and collecting 28 assists.

Copponi moved on to the Dexter-Southfield Academy prep school program, collecting 42 points in 30 games, while also playing in the Neponset River River Rats club program, with 103 points in 85 regular season games.

“I’ve been kind of been looked over a little bit in my life in hockey, so this is a surreal moment for me and my family and everyone back home,” Copponi said of being a part of the Oilers’ program. “They’re rooting for me, and I’m just here to put my best foot forward and show what I got.”

Over the span of three seasons at Merrimack, Copponi totaled 92 points with 70 assists in 92 games.

“I absolutely love the game of hockey,” Copponi said….