Wilfrid Laurier University
HAWKEY ALUMNI CLUB NEWSLETTER
From the home of Golden Hawk Hockey
Volume 5, Issue 1 Message from Peter Baxter The mission of Laurier Athletics is to ensure excellence both in Athletics and Academics. With this objective in mind, Learning Services has teamed up with the Athletics and Recreation to offer student-athletes various ways to improve their learning skills and strategies through the creation of the Athlete Academic Success program (AASP). The AASP Program is offered to all student-athletes free of charge and is delivered through scheduled workshops, one-to-one assistance sessions, and intense study sessions. The program is facilitated by Athlete Academic mentors. Most of these services are delivered in small group and individual appointment settings and are designed to encourage the sharing of ideas and peer learning. Support for this program has come directly from the Dean of Students, David McMurray who has championed this and has provided the financial support in partnership with the student governments. In Athletics, we believe that academic success must be part of athletic success! This program separates us from the rest of the competition. This support together with the alumni Hawkey Hawks initiatives that concentrate on providing Head Coach Kelly Nobes the means to recruit the top university Hockey players in Canada is one of the reasons why Laurier has made it to the CIS University Cup Championships the past two years.
MID-SEASON EDITION
Roster Boasts Many Key Names as Hawks Continue Strong After a tough start to the season, with two losses in the first two regular season games, the Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks went on to get two wins for every loss through the first half of the season. They finished the first half with ten wins, five losses, and one overtime loss in 16 games played. The team is currently ranked fifth in the OUA standings now apart of the Far West division. Leading the team for a second year is Team Captain, Matt Grennier of Dryden, ON, who is also a former Kitchener Ranger (OHL). The fifth year Economics student has six goals and eleven assists totalling to seventeen points in sixteen games played. In addition, Grennier has played a total of 133 games for the purple and gold since his rookie season in 2003-2004. This year’s assistant captains include fifth year defenseman Riley Moher, a former Barrie Colt (OHL) who has surpassed 300 penalty minutes as a Golden Hawk and Rob Dmytruk, a native of Scarborough, ON who was named an OUA First Team All-Star in 2006/07. Second Team OUA All-Star (2006/07) and winner of the OUA West Most Sportsmanlike Player Award, Mark Voakes (St. Thomas, ON) and Nick Vergeer, a third year from West Lorne, ON with five goals and nineteen assists also get the honour of an “A” on their jerseys. Leading the team in scoring this season with 15 goals is rookie standout Craig Voakes. His brother Mark Voakes is just behind him in the Laurier standings with eight goals to his name. Both share interest in the study of Geography as well as hockey with Mark attending to his forth year. Craig is also leading the team in points with 25 closely followed by veteran forward Nick Vergeer with 24 points in fifteen games. Returning forwards this season are second year, Jeff
Sincere thanks to you our alumni in helping us make this happen. Season’s Greetings to you and your Family. Go Hawks! Peter Baxter Director of Athletics & Recreation
#9 Craig Voakes Sarnia Sting (OHL) of St. Thomas, Ontario.
Burrows out of London, ON and six foot five Mike LeClair. As well as 6’7 Whitby, ON native Matt Maccarone, local John Thiel of Union College (NCAA) and 2006-07 team rookie of the year Nathan Peacock. The third years include: Luke Dubbin (Milton Icehawks, OPJHL) and Luke Girard of the Vaughan Vipers (OPHJHL) who is fifth on the team in scoring with 16 points and leads the team with 56 penalty minutes.
#4 Team Captain Matt Grennier Kitchener Rangers (OHL), of Dryden, Ontario.
On the defence are second years: Chad Kennedy, recruited from the Aurora Tigers (OPJHL) and Adam Maccarone the 6’2 athlete from Whitby, ON; third years: Jordan Fair of the Waterloo Siskins (MWJBHL) and Tyler Grover, from Alberta, drafted from the Fort McMurray Oil Barons; and fifth years: Rob Dmytruk and Riley Moher of the Barrie Colts (OHL). Rookies include forwards: Mike Galbraith, former player for the Hamilton Red Wings (OPJHL), Mississauga Ice Dogs (OHL) originator Jean-Michel Rizk, Craig Voakes (Sarnia Sting, OHL) and Colin Williams also of the Aurora Tigers (OPJHL); and defensive players: Troy Murray (Toronto St Michael’s Majors, OHL) and lastly, Tyler Townsend from Tavistock, ON who formerly played for the Stratford Cullitons (MWJBHL). Netminders this year are the triumvirate of experienced goalies, Aaron Forer of the Meltfort Mustangs (SJHL), Jeff MacDougald of the Sarnia Sting (OHL) and Mike Thomson of the Collingwood Blues (OPJHL). Thomson leads the team with a 0.91% save percentage in 452 minutes played. Forer and MacDougald are both tied for second with 0.88% save percentage, with MacDougald playing the bulk of the remaining minutes. With only thirteen games left, the team will commence with the second half of the season on January 4th, playing RMC in Kingston.
www.laurierathletics.com
Coach’s Corner with Kelly Nobes Dear Golden Hawk Alumni and Friends, On behalf of the current team and coaching staff I’d like to thank you for your continued support. Your contribution towards athletic scholarships has been extraordinary and has allowed us to retain several key pieces to the ‘puzzle’ Kelly Nobes as well as attract several excellent recruits. We have a fast skating, veteran team that is deep in all positions. Our objective is to be a hardworking, disciplined team; that is dangerous offensively yet defensively sound.
Hawkey Alumni Weekend 2008 Saturday January 12th, 2008 is the date of the fifth annual Alumni Weekend.
have Morty’s Pub booked for the post game festivities.
The silent auction and raffle is always a huge attraction with unique high quality items up for grabs. We invite all of our alumni over the next few weeks to leverage your business contacts to come up with this year’s auction items.
Register Online Today at: www.laurierathletics.com/HAC
This year’s Alumni Weekend features Laurier hosting the Ryerson Rams. Highlights of the day include the always entertaining alumni games, family skate, access to the swimplex, and a buffet dinner reception. Additional activities for the kids will be provided during the dinner hour. As usual we
After two consecutive trips to the Nationals in both 2006 and 2007; the expectations are high for the current team, hence the team mantra ‘Held to a Higher Standard’. Competing in the ultra-competitive OUA Far West division, we had a very good first half finishing with a 10-5-1 record, and have positioned ourselves well for the second half. With 8 of our 12 games remaining against divisional opponents we will The Hawkey Alumni Club has undergone control where we finish in the standings its first leadership transition in 2007. Afand get seeded for the playoffs. ter 5 years of outstanding leadership, Sonny Kumpf stepped down in February I encourage you to get out and support the as President of the Club. Taking the reins Golden Hawks in the New Year. from within the Club Executive is 1999 grad Martin Kearns. All the best for the Holiday Season. The Department of Athletics and Recreation Kelly Nobes at Laurier saluted Sonny at the 2007 Alumni Weekend with the presentation of a humidor engraved with the hawk logo. Director of Athletics Peter Baxter saluted Kumpf for his passion and dedication to the hockey program as the inaugural president of the Hawkey Alumni Club that was born in 2002. “When I asked Sonny to be involved he said that I had to commit to full-time coaching to raise the bar of the hockey program. I wholeheartedly agreed and since that time we have been to the Nationals the last 2 years,” stated Baxter. “He committed us to be competitive on the national level.” Although stepping Newsletter Produced By: golden hawk away from the leadership role, Sonny plans sport information office on continuing his involvement with the Club.
Get your ticket online now at: www.laurierathletics.com/HAC. For more information or if you can donate a silent auction item, please contact Martin Kearns 416-730-4274 or kearns. mj@pg.com.
Laurier Hockey Salutes Sonny Kumpf and Welcomes Martin Kearns
75 University Avenue West Waterloo, Ontario, N2L 3C5 phone: (519) 884-0710, ext. 3888 www.laurierathletics.com
Oct 10 vs Waterloo - L 6-2 Oct 14 vs Western - L 5-0 Oct 18 @ Western - W 4-2 Oct 20 vs Windsor - W 7-1 Oct 27 vs Lakehead - L 6-3 Oct 28 vs Lakehead - W 4-3 Nov 3 vs Windsor - W 9-3 Nov 4 @ Waterloo - L 2-8 2
During Kumpf’s tenure the Club has created regular opportunities for alumni to reconnect with each other and the current program
through Alumni Weekend and annual golf tournaments. Through these events and others, the Club has been able to fund critical needs of the hockey program each year, including skates and support for exhibition travel. In addition, Kumpf has also left an important legacy to Laurier Hockey through the creation of two endowments totaling more than $50,000. The Hawkey Alumni Club Award Endowment will in perpetuity provide an annual scholarship to a deserving member of the team and the Club’s Operating Endowment provides funds for enhancements to the program each year. Laurier Athletics is pleased to have Martin Kearns step forward to fill Sonny’s role going forward. As a longtime member of the Club’s Executive and as a leader of the Alumni Weekend event since its inception Martin is clearly aligned with the goal of the program moving forward and has always displayed great passion in hopes that the team raise new championship banners. Laurier congratulates Sonny on a job well done and wishes Martin continued success as the Club moves forward!
2007-2008 Schedule and Results Nov 7 @ Brock - W 2-1 Nov 9 vs Guelph - W 7-0 Nov 14 vs Brock - OTL 3-4 Nov 17 @ Guelph - W 6-3 Nov 24 @ UOIT - W 5-1 Nov 25 @ York - L 1-6
Nov 29 vs York - W 5-3 Dec 2 vs UOIT - W 5-3 Jan 4 @ RMC Jan 5 @ Queen’s Jan 12 vs Ryerson Jan 13 vs Toronto
Jan 18 vs Waterloo Jan 19 vs Western Jan 26 @ Western Jan 27 @ Windsor Feb 1 @ Lakehead Feb 2 @ Lakehead Feb 7 @ Waterloo Feb 9 @ Windsor
Hockey Scholarship Fund Receives Big Alumni Assist
The 2007-2008 season marks a new era for hockey in Ontario. This season is the first in which Ontario universities have had the opportunity to provide scholarships to first-year student-athletes. Now, first-year recruits with high school marks of 80% or better and continuing student-athletes with marks of 70% are eligible to receive up to $3,500 per year. The new policy, combined with the existing award program for veterans is truly raising the stakes for university hockey in Ontario and across the country.
The Hawkey Alumni Club has taken proactive steps over the last five years to ensure that the Golden Hawks can attract top talent to the program. Through the support of alumni, the Club has created an endowment of more than $40,000 to provide awards each year. Last year three players received awards and $1,500 will be awarded from the fund again this season. However, funds beyond the endowment have been necessary to ensure the program’s success. In order to give the team another shot at the national championship this season, Head Coach Kelly Nobes recognized the importance of bringing back key veteran players for a fifth year at Laurier, including captain Matt Grennier and defencemen Rob Dmytruk and Riley Moher. Receiving financial assistance was critical to their decision. As a result, Coach Nobes appealed to hockey alumni to help the team raise $7,000 for this cause. Those funds would be matched by a fund set up by Laurier President Bob Rosehart to promote alumni support
of athletic scholarships, resulting in a total goal of $14,000. Outgoing Club President Sonny Kumpf and current Club President Martin Kearns endorsed the campaign and encouraged their hockey peers to respond to Coach Nobes’ call for support.
The Hawkey Alumni Club continues to provide opportunities for alumni to stay connected with each other and with the current program.
Hockey alumni have risen to the challenge in a big The 2007 year featured a number of great events that were well attended by our alumni. way. In direct response to the solicitation letter, hockey alumni contributed more than $7,000. Laurier Hockey’s golf day in June led by Joe McCrea netted an additional $2,000. As 2007 comes to a close, nearly $29,000 has been contributed to the Golden Hawk Scholarship Fund for Men’s Hockey, all of which will be matched by the university. As a result, Grennier, Dmytruk and Moher are all back wearing the purple and gold this season. Each received the maximum $3,500 scholarships allowed by the OUA. In addition, the funds raised enabled Coach Nobes to reward 5 other student-athletes with financial awards. Laurier Hockey is grateful for the critical role alumni have played in making this year’s scholarships possible and building a strong foundation for future years. In order to remain competitive in recruiting, raising scholarship funds will continue to be a primary focus for the program and a goal of $26,000 has been set for 2008. For more information about the hockey scholarship initiative, please contact Kent MacLennan, Associate Director of Development for Athletics, at 519-884-0710 ext. 3177 or kmaclennan@ wlu.ca.
Message from the Hawkey Alumni Club President As our 5th annual Alumni Weekend quickly approaches I’m excited to assume the role of Hawkey Alumni Club President. I would like to thank Sonny Kumpf for stepping up and leading this group who almost five years ago sat around a table in Waterloo to form the first ever hockey alumni organization at Laurier. Two things were clear from the very beginning: 1) Over 40 years of Hawkey spirit was alive and well as evidenced from the multitude of stories spilling forth around that table. (Many of which should never be written down!) 2) There is a sense of unfinished business as expressed by the group’s desire to help the program strive for its 1st National Championship in whatever way possible. Under the direction of Sonny, the help of a dedicated executive and many key alumni, the last four years have seen the men’s hockey program usher in a new era of progress toward that goal. The HAC introduced Alumni Weekend and lent its support to the annual Golf Tournament to ensure ample opportunity for all alumni to get back together in a fun way as well as support the program and meet the current players. The results have been outstanding. HAC events have raised over $50,000 over the past four years and the
2007 Club Event Year in Review
total balance of our various endowed funds now exceeds $116,000! The Hawkey Alumni Club President Martin hockey Kearns presenting rookie Colin Williams team is with a jersey welcoming him to the team. also delivering. The Golden Hawks have been back to the University Cup in 2006 & 2007 re-establishing our program as one to be reckoned with on a national level. Finally, I have also witnessed the university get behind this program by ramping up its support in an unprecedented way. My goals as president are simple; stay focused on helping the program reach that first championship and have fun doing it. By simply lacing up your skates again at Alumni Weekend you will accomplish both, ensuring that when we do hoist the University Cup, you’re a part of it. See you in January!
82-83 Team Reunion On the weekend of Oct 26 - 28 , 2007 , the 1982-83 OUAA Championship Hawkey team held a 25th Reunion in Waterloo. The Reunion started Friday night with a reception at the Grad Pub ... Saturday began with breakfast at Angies Restaurant , followed by a campus tour , lunch at the Kent Hotel, dinner at the Waterloo Rec Complex and then taking in WLU vs Lakehead. The reunion concluded Sunday back at the Grad Pub with breakfast. 20 of 26 team members returned for the weekend festivities. Guys came from Colorado , Newfoundland and all places in-between. It was a great time had by all in attendance. We are grateful to the team and lead organizers Dave Bogart and Rob Holody for taking the initiative to make this special weekend possible! Following the success of the 82-83 team’s reunion, the Hawkey Alumni Club wants to continue to organize annual reunion events to bring teammates back together. For those who played in the early 1990s, keep an eye out for information about a gathering in Fall 2008! 2007 Golf Event The annual golf tradition continued in June, with more than 60 alumni turning out for a fun, informal day of golf and an opportunity to raise funds for the hockey team’s scholarship fund. A big thank you goes out to Joe McCrea for taking the initiative to ensure that this event happened! We look forward to another great day of fun and laughs in June! SAVE THE DATE! Hockey Alumni Golf Day Thursday, June 12, 2008 Details to be confirmed Home Opener Jersey Presentation Through the Club’s efforts, the alumni have started a tradition of presenting jerseys to the new members of the team at the league home opener. Coming back to present sweaters and welcome these new Hawks into the fold were Rob Grant, Pat McCoubrey, Mark Pedersen, Matthew Schnarr and Martin Kearns.
3
2007 Golden Hawk Men’s Hockey Roster # Name 1 Mike Thomson 3 Chad Kennedy 4 Matt Grennier 5 Adam Maccarone 7 Jordan Fair 8 Jeff Borrows 9 Craig Voakes 11 Luke Dubbin 12 Rob Dmytruk 14 John Thiel 15 Colin Williams 18 Riley Moher 19 Nick Vergeer 20 Tyler Townsend 21 Mike Galbraith 22 Troy Murray 24 Nathan Peacock 25 Matt Maccarone 26 Luke Girard 27 Jean-Michel Rizk 30 Jeff MacDougald 33 Mark Voakes 35 Aaron Forer 44 Mike LeClair 57 Tyler Grover
Position Goalie Defence Center Defence Defence Forward Forward Forward Defence Forward Forward Defence Forward Defence Forward Defence Forward Forward Forward Forward Goalie Centre Goalie Forward Defence
Coaching and Support Staff Head Coach: Kelly Nobes Team Doctor: Dr. Richard Tiegs Video: Chuck Stemmler Videographer: Chris Thom
Ht 5’ 9 5’ 11 6’ 1 6’ 2 5’ 11 5’ 9 5’ 11 6’ 1 5’ 10 6’ 0 6’ 2 6’ 1 5’ 7 5’ 11 5’ 11 6’ 3 5’ 11 6’ 7 6’ 3 6’ 1 6’ 0 6’ 0 6’ 0 6’ 5 6’ 2
Wt. Yr 185 3 190 2 198 5 217 2 190 3 170 2 175 1 195 3 195 5 205 2 210 1 185 5 145 3 187 1 190 1 220 1 180 2 240 3 201 3 198 1 195 3 180 4 195 2 230 2 210 3
Program Business Geography Economics Comm. Std. Org. Leadership Geography Geography Religion/Culture Geography English Enviro Std. MBA Geography Arts Business Arts Geography Comm. Std. History Psychology Geography Geography Psychology Poli Sci Geography
Elig. 3 2 5 2 2 1 1 2 5 3 1 5 3 1 2 1 2 3 3 1 3 4 3 1 3
Hometown Oro Station, ON Mississauga, ON Dryden , ON Whitby, ON Guleph, ON London, ON St.Thomas, ON Midland, ON Scarborough, ON Waterloo, ON Orangeville, ON Port Credit, ON West Lorne, ON Tavistock, ON Oakville, ON Waterloo, ON Tillsonburg, ON Whitby, ON Mississauga, ON Dunham, QC Shallow Lake, ON St.Thomas, ON Melfort, ON Calgary, AB Consort, AB
Previous Team Collingwood Blues (OPJHL) Aurora Tigers (OPJHL) Kitchener Rangers (OHL) Oshawa Legionnaires (OPJHL) Waterloo Siskins (MWJBHL) Strathroy Rockets (WOHL) Sarnia Sting (OHL) Milton IceHawks (OPJHL) Soo Greyhounds (OHL) Union College (NCAA) Aurora Tigers (OPJHL) Barrie Colts (OHL) Stratford Cullitons (MWJBHL) Stratford Cullitons (MWJBHL) Hamilton Red Wings (OPJHL) St Michael’s Majors (OHL) St. Mary’s Lincolns (WOHL) Sudbury Wolves (OHL) Vaughan Vipers (OPJHL) Mississauga Ice Dogs (OHL) Sarnia Sting (OHL) St.Thomas Stars (WOHL) Melfort Mustangs (SJHL) Olds Grizzlys (AJHL) Fort McMurray Oil Barons (AJHL)
Assistant Coaches: Dave Williams, Doug Carmichael Equipment Manager: Marc Massicotte Assistant Equipment Manager: Mike Dow Student Trainer: James Cartwright
Front Row (Left to Right): Mike Thompson, Kelly Nobes (Head Coach), Nick Vergeer, Riley Moher, Jeff MacDougald, Matt Grennier, Mark Voakes, Rob Dmytruk, Dave Williams (Asst. Coach), Aaron Forer Second Row: Doug Carmichael (Asst. Coach), Mike Galbraith, Tyler Townsend, John Thiel, Troy Murray, Mike LeClair, Matt Maccarone, Luke Girard, Tyler Grover, Jean-Michel Rizk, Craig Voakes, Jeff Borrows, Marc Massicotte (Equipment Manager) Back Row: Mike Dow (Asst. Equipment Mgr), Chris Thom (Video), Colin Williams, Adam Maccarone, Luke Dubbin, Nathan Peacock, Chad Kennedy, Jordan Fair, Chuck Stemmler (Video), James Cartwright (Student Trainer)
4