OJS Player Profile: Julian Recine

by Warren Rappleyea

With 109 goals in their 24 matches to date, the Ottawa Junior Senators lead the Central Canada Hockey League (CCHL) in goals and are sitting atop the Yzerman Division. Stittsville, Ontario native Julian Recine has played a key role in both the team’s offense and overall success.

The 20-year-old forward has accumulated 10 goals to go along with 24 assists, pacing the Junior Sens in both points and assists. He’s also played a key role in the potent OJS power play, which is clicking about 20 percent of the time—good for second in the circuit. Recine has scored five times and added six assists with the man advantage.

“Part of my role is to try to provide some offense and some playmaking,” Recine explained. “I’m a pass-first guy, but I’ve worked hard on my shot, getting open, and putting the puck in the net. I pride myself in my defensive game and just trying to be as much of a 200-foot player as I can. That’s something I’ve really been working on.”

That’s the kind of attitude the Junior Sens have historically displayed: Ottawa currently has the third lowest goals against in the CCHL and their goal differential is league-leading plus-48.

While Recine is counted upon to contribute offensively, he realizes that in some games it’s not always going to happen.

“You don’t always do the things you’re best at in every game,” Recine said. “There are always other ways you can contribute. Just doing the little things. Go out there and block a shot or throw a hit. Do something that is valuable.”

The 5-9, 180-pounder, began playing at an early age and under the tutelage of his father, Marko, and later joined the Ottawa Valley Titans organization. He was drafted in the second round of the CCHL draft by the Kanata Lasers, but decided he was not ready to play Junior A and instead concentrated on school.

The following year he attended the Lasers camp, made the team and was soon earning his stripes in the CCHL. After netting 15 goals in Kanata, Recine was acquired by the Junior Sens late in the season. The righty-shooter contributed five goals during Ottawa’s stretch run and added five assists.

Poised to pick up where he left off, Recine, like his teammates was sidelined for most of last year as the pandemic continued. The Junior Sens loaned him to the Salmon Arm Silverbacks of the British Columbia Hockey League, where he got into 17 games, scoring a pair of goals and posting five assists.

That set the stage for his second full junior campaign. After spending the summer working on adding strength as well as a few pounds, and working on his speed, Recine came to camp ready to make his mark. He quickly impressed new coach Kyle Makaric; and the Junior Senators players chose him as an alternate captain.

“Julian is a very important player for us,” Makaric said. “He’s a passionate leader who holds himself to a high standard and pushed others around him to be better. He’s also a great teammate, an excellent communicator in the room and a competitor in every sense. The sky’s the limit for Julian. He has skills that aren’t easily taught, and we look forward to helping him achieve those goals.”

Recine’s ultimate goal is to play Division I college hockey, while earning a degree.

“Getting the opportunity to play at that level would be amazing, but it’s important to stay in the present,” he said. “We have a good team and we want to be totally prepared for the playoffs. I want to keep improving as player, but I think team success is something the colleges look at.”

The Stittsville resident lives with his parents, Marko and Ursula, where he enjoys the home-cooked meals, especially his dad’s pasta carbonara. Recine is currently taking courses at Carleton University. He relaxes by playing guitar (left-handed) and enjoys playing golf.