Wilfrid Laurier University
HAWKEY ALUMNI CLUB NEWSLETTER
From the home of Golden Hawk Hockey
Volume 6, Issue 1 Message from Peter Baxter Recruiting top talent both athletically and academically is key to a successful hockey program. Our head coach Kelly Nobes and his coaching staff have done an outstanding job in two short years by attracting championship-quality hockey student-athletes to the Golden Hawk program. Last year the addition of former Kitchener Rangers captain Jean-Michel Rizk, and OHL player (Kitchener, Windsor, Sarnia) Craig Voakes, who won CIS Rookie of the Year Honours, is proof of that. Coach Nobes has the ability to keep track of players who are strong performers in the Canadian Hockey League. He has a strong network inside and outside of hockey that alert him to the best talent. Alumni and friends of Laurier hockey have also assisted in that process through the funds generated from our hockey Hawks Adopt-an-Athlete program as well as donations toward our Hawkey Hawk Athletic Financial Award Program. Our competition in Atlantic Canada and Western Canada has challenged us with respect to recruiting resources and financial aid funds available to student-athletes. Laurier has to keep pace. Your continued support to assist coach Kelly Nobes build a championship hockey program is required. If you are inspired to assist, please contact myself at (519) 884-0710 ext. 2216 or Kent MacLennan, Associate Director of Development for Athletics and Recreation, at (519) 884-0710 ext. 3177.
PRE-SEASON EDITION
Golden Hawks Look to Soar in 2008-09 Season The 2008-09 edition of the Golden Hawks team is heading into the season with high expectations. Along with returning eight of the top ten scorers from last year’s team, head coach Kelly Nobes returns behind the bench with a strong core of young returning players, as well as an exciting group of incoming studentathletes. To fill the leadership roles of last year’s graduating players, several veteran players from the 2007 team will be sought to fill the void left by those gone. Included among these players are fifth year athletes Nick Vergeer (West Lorne, ON) who was fourth on the team in scoring last season with 32 points, and OUA first team all-star Mark Voakes (St. Thomas, ON) who tallied 42 points last year ranking ninth in the nation. Fourth year leaders include starting goaltender Jeff MacDougald formerly of the Sarnia Sting (OHL) who posted a 0.89 save percentage this past season, and Luke Girard, formerly of the Vaughan Vipers (OPJHL), who was tied for sixth on the team in points with 22 points. Other leaders this season include Mississauga Ice Dogs (OHL) originator Jean-Michel Rizk, as well as Chad Kennedy who was formerly a member of the Aurora Tigers (OPJHL). Along with the emerging leaders of the team, the new recruits will be counted on to provide an instant upgrade on the defensive side of the puck. Incoming recruit Garrett Sinfield from the Saginaw Spirit (OHL) has averaged 50 games played the past three seasons. He’s a high-end defenseman with great size, excellent mobility, and outstanding puck skills. Both Ryan Bernardi and Jordan Bonneville arrive at Laurier following seasons with NCAA Division I Wayne State University. Bernardi started every game the past two seasons as a defenseman with Wayne State and was named to the CHA all-academic team in 2007, while Jordan Bonneville most recently received the award for MWJHL’s Top Defenseman in 2006 while with the Cambridge Winter Hawks. The last recruit is defenseman Phil Magistrale from the Surrey Eagles (BCHL)
I look forward to seeing you at games and Hawkey Hawk alumni events this season. Go Hawks! Peter Baxter Director of Athletics & Recreation
#9 Craig Voakes CIS Rookie of the Year Sarnia Sting (OHL) of St. Thomas, Ontario.
who averaged over a point a game last season and has two years of Western Hockey League (WHL) experience. Returning contributors to the team include CIS rookie of the year Craig Voakes who led the nation with 23 goals last season. Other returning forwards include Jeff Burrows out of London, ON and sixfoot-five Mike LeClair (Olds Grizzlys, AJHL). Alongside them will #30 Jeff MacDougald be six-foot-seven Sarnia Sting (OHL), Whitby, ON native of Shallow Lake, Ontario. Matt Maccarone and 2006-07 team rookie of the year Nathan Peacock. Third year forwards Luke Dubbin (Milton Icehawks, OPJHL) and Mike Galbraith (Hamilton Red Wings, OPJHL) also return alongside second year forward Colin Williams (Aurora Tigers, OPJHL). Returning defensemen include Tyler Grover, from Alberta, drafted from the Fort McMurray Oil Barons, Jordan Fair of the Waterloo Siskins (MWJBHL) and second year Tyler Townsend who formerly played for the Stratford Cullitons (MWJBHL). Fourth year veteran Mike Thomson (Collingwood Blues, OPJHL) who led the team in save percentage with a 0.91 over 10 games will also be returning in net. Last year, the Golden Hawks finished the season with a 16-9-3 record, good for fourth in a very competitive division that throughout the year saw four teams in the CIS national rankings. After defeating Waterloo in the opening round of the playoffs, the Golden Hawks lost the quarterfinal matchup against the Lakehead Thunderwolves (2-1). The end of the 2007-08 season marked the graduation of three fifth-year veterans: captain Matt Grennier, Riley Moher, and Rob Dmytruk. These former Golden Hawks have been looking to continue their hockey careers on professional hockey teams. Matt Grennier finished last season with the Toronto Marlies of the AHL, and Rob Dmytruk finished with the Phoenix Roadrunners of the ECHL. Heading into this upcoming season, Dymtruk is going to be playing for the Rapid City Rush in CHL, while Matt Grennier and Riley Moher have yet to decide on their future teams. The Golden Hawks host the first game of the season on October 9th, and begin their quest toward the national championship.
www.laurierathletics.com
Coach’s Corner with Kelly Nobes Golden Hawk Alumni and Friends, With training camp just a few weeks away the coaching staff is busy preparing for another competitive season. Assistant Coach Dave Williams will be returning for his third season with the Hawks. Dave has been managing Kelly Nobes the defense behind the bench and has been a key part of our success the past two seasons. We have also added Trevor Fraser as a second Assistant Coach for this season. Trevor brings a wealth of experience at the Junior level and will make our staff stronger. We are returning several veteran players and have added 4 quality recruits to our blueline. With recruiting as competitive as ever, we have had to widen our search and are bringing in one player from Western Canada , 2 former NCAA Div 1 players, and a 4-year OHL veteran. We believe that we will have a very good skating and passing team and that we will have to be very accountable defensively to have success in the OUA Far West division. On behalf of the coaching staff and players I’d like to thank you for your continued support and I look forward to seeing you at a game in the fall. Kelly Nobes
Newsletter Produced By: golden hawk sport information office 75 University Avenue West Waterloo, Ontario, N2L 3C5 phone: (519) 884-0710, ext. 3888 www.laurierathletics.com
Oct 9 vs Western, 7:30 p.m. Oct 11 vs Waterloo, 7:30 p.m. Oct 17 @ Windsor, 7:05 p.m. Oct 18 @ Western, 7:30 p.m. Oct 24 @ Lakehead, 7:30 p.m. Oct 25 @ Lakehead, 7:30 p.m. Oct 30 vs Windsor, 7:30 p.m. Nov 1 @ Waterloo, 7:30 p.m. 2
Good Turnout for 2008 Golf Tournament On June 11th, more than 65 alumni and friends came out to Rockway in Kitchener to join Coach Nobes and current members of the Laurier Hockey team for a sunny day of golf, dinner and festivities. The event’s objective was to continue to provide opportunities for alumni to stay connected with their former teammates and with the current team. Designed to be affordable
for alumni of all ages to participate, the tournament raised more than $2,500 to support enhancements for the program for the upcoming 2008-2009 season. Special thanks go out to Joe McCrea for volunteering his time to lead the tournament preparations and to Fred Nichols for his help that day. Mark your calendars for June 4, 2009 for next year’s event.
Christmas Trip to Lakehead Part of Team’s Prep For Run at Championships A trip to Thunder Bay at Christmas may not be at the top of most people’s wish list this holiday season, but it’s the #1 priority for this year’s team. The Golden Hawks have been invited by Lakehead’s Thunderwolves to participate in their TBayTel Varsity Cup tournament this December along with the Manitoba Bisons and Saskatchewan Huskies. This showcase of some of the top teams in the CIS will give Laurier a critical opportunity to track their progress against the country’s best at the site of next March’s national championship tournament. In addition to the high quality opposition, the trip provides an important midseason opportunity to continue building team chemistry and the mental toughness to compete in a hostile environment. “The TBayTelVarsity Cup is a great opportunity for the Golden Hawks to tune up for the second half of the season against some of the top teams in the
country,” said head coach Kelly Nobes. “It also gets our group accustomed to Thunder Bay and playing at the Fort William Gardens; something which we’ve had to do the last two years in the post season and are striving to do in March at the National Championships.” Lakehead has stepped forward to help defray a large portion of Laurier’s costs for the trip, including flights and accommodations. However, additional support from alumni and friends will be critical to making this trip possible, as this will be a special initiative above and beyond the team’s continuing enhancement needs. Stay tuned for more details about how you can help support this opportunity as the team pursues another shot at the national title.
2008-2009 SCHEDULE Nov 6 vs Guelph, 7:30 p.m. Nov 7 vs Brock, 7:30 p.m. Nov 13 @ Guelph, 7:30 p.m. Nov 15 @ Brock, 7:35 p.m. Nov 22 @ UOIT, 7:30 p.m. Nov 27 @ York, 7:00 p.m.
Nov 29 vs UOIT, 7:30 p.m. Jan 3 vs York, 7:30 p.m. Jan 7 @ Ryerson, 7:30 p.m. Jan 10 @ Toronto, 7:30 p.m. Jan 15 vs RMC, 7:30 p.m. Jan 17 vs Queen’s, 7:30 p.m.
Jan 22 vs Waterloo, 7:30 p.m. Jan 24 @ Western, 7:30 p.m. Jan 29 vs Western, 7:30 p.m. Jan 30 vs Windsor, 7:30 p.m. Feb 6 vs Lakehead, 7:30 p.m. Feb 7 vs Lakehead, 7:30 p.m. Feb 12 @ Waterloo, 7:30 p.m. Feb 13 @ Windsor, 7:05 p.m.
Message from the Hawkey Alumni Club President It’s been awhile since I’ve thought about hockey in July and August but that’s exactly what’s happening back on campus as the competition for recruits rages through the summer. Teams are gearing up big time for the 2008-2009 season but before I comment on this further I would like to tell you about a great experience I had with the 2007-2008 team back in April at their year-end dinner. Driving in from Toronto, it was somewhat like stepping back in time on a summer-like day that brought everyone out to enjoy the warm weather on campus. The dinner was a close-knit affair in the Hawk’s Nest consisting of the team, its coaching and support staff, and a sprinkling of HAC executive members. With the opportunity to actually sit at a table with the players you could really feel that this was a close group with constant references to inside jokes and experiences. I didn’t need to know what the story was behind each reference, I could probably guess, but I truly appreciated the humour just the same and marvelled at how close this team was. The most powerful segment of the evening was the final farewell from Kelly’s graduating players. I was truly blown away by what these young men had to say. It was heartfelt, emotional, funny and demonstrated a maturity that blew me away and can no doubt be credited in part to the personal growth these young men gained as student-athletes in the men’s varsity program. These guys were a family and there weren’t many dry eyes in the room as the 5th year players said goodbye. It reminded me that the work we are all doing to make this program as competitive as possible is important and will ultimately get
us closer to the goal of a national championship. This brings me back to the battle for recruits and the upcoming 2008-2009 season. I believe that Laurier’s competition for top recruits is the most intense it has ever been in the history of the program. Contributing to this is the fact that the OUA has two new programs (Carleton & UOIT), Lakehead has secured the nationals for the next two years, and Eastern schools continue to find ways of making the recruits’ decisions financial ones. Kelly has done a fantastic job of recruiting and the HAC has, and will, continue to play an important role. Due to the recruiting pressure the search for talent has broadened far beyond Ontario all the way to the West coast and the HAC was able to chip in to help defray those costs. The investment will pay off over the next four to five years as we have been able to secure high-end talent as a result of that trip. As an alumni group we will continue to look for fun ways to support the program in this regard. This year we have a full calendar of events and traditions that provide a fun way to connect back with the program. These include the Jersey Presentation Dinner during pre-season, the 1993-1994 team reunion, Alumni Weekend and the Annual Golf Tournament. These give us all the opportunity to re-live some great experiences, connect with old friends and with the current players. I look forward to seeing you soon; enjoy the rest of the warm weather that 2008 has to offer!
Follow the Golden Hawks daily at www.laurierathletics.com
2007-08 Regular Season Statistical Leaders Goals Player Craig Voakes Mark Voakes Matt Grennier Jean-Michel Rizk Nathan Peacock Assists
G 23 15 12 12 10
Player Nick Vergeer Mark Voakes Matt Grennier Craig Voakes Rob Dmytruk
A 25 25 24 19 16
Points Player Craig Voakes Mark Voakes Matt Grennier Nick Vergeer Rob Dmytruk
P 42 40 36 32 23
Penalties Player M Luke Girard 84 Riley Moher 60 Craig Voakes 55 Mark Voakes 48 Tyler Grover 44 Game Winning Goals Player GWG Craig Voakes 5 Mark Voakes 3 Rob Dmytruk 2 Matt Grennier 2 Nathan Peacock 1 Power Play Goals Player PPG Craig Voakes 10 Mark Voakes Luke Girard Matt Grennier Nathan Peacock
7 7 5 4
2008 Upcoming Club Events The Hawkey Alumni Club continues to provide opportunities for alumni to stay connected with each other and with the current program. Laurier Hockey Family Day Saturday, September 27th, 2008 Dinner and Team Introduction: 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. Paul Martin Centre, Wilfrid Laurier Univesity Exhibition Game versus Ottawa 7:30 p.m. Waterloo Recreation Complex Alumni and parents are encouraged to attend! 1993-1994 Team Reunion February 6th-8th, 2008 As part of Alumni Weekend activities Alumni Weekend Saturday, February 7th, 2009 (versus Lakehead) Golf Tournament Thursday, June 4th, 2009 Rockway Golf Course Kitchener, Ontario
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Golden Hawks of the Past: Where Are They Now? Name: David Archer Year Graduated: 1999 Place of Residence: Waterloo, Ontario Career Information: Financial Advisor Family Update: Wife, Tessa; daughter Casey and a second child on the way Name: David Bogart Year Graduated: 1984 Place of Residence: London, Ontario Career Information: PHE Department Head at Oakridge Secondary School Family Updates: Wife Julie; children Matthew (15) and Eric (13) Name: Brian Cochrane Year(s) Graduated: 1973 and 1974 Place of Residence: Brantford, Ontario Career Information: Self-employed Chartered Accountant Family Updates: Wife, Mary Jane; children Jennifer (28) and Brad (26) Name: Mike Dahle Year Graduated: 1995 Place of Residence: Snow Lake, Ontario Career Update: Business Studies teacher at Port Hope High School Family Update: Married with a 4-year old son Name: Steve Hand Year Graduated: 1999 Place of Residence: Edmonton, Alberta Career Information: Insurance Broker Family Update: Wife, Nina; new son, Jackson Name: Ken Hishon Year Graduated: 1974 Place of Residence: Stratford, Ontario Career Information: Owner of Hishons Sporting Goods Family Updates: Wife, Dana; children Mike and Dana Name: Barry Irwin Year Graduated: 1970 Place of Residence: Komoka, Ontario Career Information: VP and GM of Gamma-Dynacare Medical Laboratories Family Updates: Wife, Gail; children Chris (31) and Jennifer (34); grandchildren Katie (3) and twins Ben and Kyle (10 months). Name: Tony Martindale Year Graduated: 1985 Place of Residence: Kitchener, Ontario Career Information: Executive Director of Minor Hockey Alliance of Ontario Family Updates: Wife, Sandra; daughter Gabrielle Name: Don McConnell Year Graduated: 1995 Place of Residence: Kitchener, Ontario Career Update: Sales within the construction industry Family Update: Married with two sons: Ryan (3) and Adam (7) Name: Jim McCrea Year Graduated: Place of Residence: Kitchener, Ontario Career Information: Jim McCrea Sales Ltd., Tournament Sports Family Updates: Wife, Jill; children; and grandchildren: Avary(4) and Brady (1)
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Name: Bob McQuat Year Graduated: 1999 Place of Residence: Oshawa, Ontario Career Information: Durham Police officer Family Update: Wife, Stacy; children Sophie and Sammy
Name: Paul McSorley Year Graduated: 1982 Place of Residence: Kitchener, Ontario Career Information: Financial Advisor, Manulife Securities Family Update: Wife, Fran (‘83); children Tom and Kait Name: Dave Ormerod Year Graduated: 1972 Place(s) of Residence: Mont Tremblant, Quebec (MayNov.) and Whistler, B.C. (Nov.-April) Career Information: Dave Ormerod Enterprises, Ltd. Family Updates: Wife, Cher; children Ashley and Brianne Name: Jamie Patenall Year Graduated: 1994 Place of Residence: Brighton, Ontario Career Update: Business Studies teacher at East Northumberland Secondary School Family Update: Wife, Deanna (‘93); children Madeline (8) and Thomas (5) Name: Mark Pedersen Year Graduated: 1998 Place of Residence: Cambridge, Ontario Career Information: Financial Manager Family Update: Wife, Tara; expecting their first child in October Name: Geoff Publow Year Graduated: 1995 Place of Residence: Kanata, Ontario Career Update: Director of Strategic Development, Senators Sports & Entertainment Family Update: Wife, Caroline; children Thomas (7), Kiera (5), and Regan (3) Name: Wilf Rellinger Year Graduated: 1984 Place of Residence: Portage la Prairie , Manitoba Career Update: Canadian Air Force Helicopter Pilot, Chief Standards Officer 3, Canadian Forces Flying Training School Family Update: Wife, Dawn; children Tawn (18), Tanner (17) and Keana (13) Name: Dennis Schooley Year Graduated: 1976 Place of Residence: Stratford, Ontario Career Information: Chartered Accountant and owner of a franchise company: Schooley Mitchell Telecom Consultants Family Updates: Wife, Beth; children Sarah, Jim and Rob Name: Gavin Smith Year Graduated: 1978 Place of Residence: The Pas, Manitoba Career Information: Teacher alongside his wife, Sandy Family Updates: Wife, Sandy; children Travis and Amy Name: Beric Sykes Year Graduated: 1986 Place of Residence: Burlington, Ontario Career Information: President of Venture Steel Family Update: Wife, Leah; children Taylor (18), Jack and Abbigayle (twins, 6) Name: Lance Woods Year Graduated: 2000 Place of Residence: Waterford, Ontario Career Information: Teacher Family Update: Wife, Chalyce; children Seth and Ethan