2018-19 Men's Hockey Yearbook by yorkulions

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HOCKEY 2018 - 19 YEARBOOK

1990-2018

Mark Cross spent five seasons with the Lions men’s hockey team from 2011-16 and graduated with a degree in kinesiology and health science in 2016. He was one of the leaders in the Lions dressing room during his time with the team, serving as assistant captain for three seasons and was named team MVP for his fifth and final season with the team. Following his graduation, Cross returned to his hometown of Strasbourg, Sask., and coached midget hockey in Lumsden, Sask., for a year before being named an assistant coach with the Humboldt Broncos for the 2017-18 season.

Myers, Executive Director of Athletics & Recreation. “We still feel the loss of Mark every day but are incredibly grateful we could put together this tour to honour Mark’s legacy and support the family, friends, and communities affected by the crash.”

Cross’ life was cut tragically short by the fatal team bus crash involving the Broncos on April 6th, 2018.

In August 2018, the Lions announced the men’s hockey team would be travelling to Saskatchewan to participate in the Mark Cross HumboldtStrong Remembrance Tour, which took place from September 20th – 23rd. In addition to playing three games against teams from the CanWest conference as part of the tour and the Lions also participated in a number of school visits, hockey clinics and community events.

“Mark was an exceptional young man,” said Lions men’s hockey head coach Russ Herrington, who was an assistant coach for the squad when Cross was in his final season. “He was a ferocious competitor who had a vibrant approach to life. There was no one in the room that commanded more respect than Mark. To say we were proud that he was giving back by becoming a coach would be an understatement. Mark was in his element in the hockey arena and I could think of no better mentor for junior hockey players to have than Mark Cross. He has been taken away from us much, much too soon.”

The Lions started the tour against the Regina Cougars in Lumsden, Sask, where Cross grew up playing youth hockey, followed by the second game against the Calgary Dinos in Humboldt, Sask. The game took place at the Elgar Petersen Arena, the Bronco’s home rink, and marked a return for Lions rookie Kaleb Dahlgren, who played with the Bronco’s last season and survived the tragic bus crash. They completed the tour with a game against the Saskatchewan Huskies at their home rink in Saskatoon. Proceeds from the games went to the Mark Cross Memorial Sports Fund and the HumboldtStrong Community Foundation.

Shortly after the accident York Athletics & Recreation established a fund in Cross’ honour, with the department pledging to match dollar for dollar the first $50,000 in donations. So far the fund has raised close to $60,000 in donations and York is working closely with the Cross family to find the most appropriate way to use those funds to honour Cross’ memory at York.

The men’s hockey team also created an award named in honour of Cross following his untimely passing. The Mark Cross Heart of a Lion Award will be presented to a player who best exemplifies the spirit of Mark through the characteristics of Character, Respect, Optimism, Sacrifice and Selflessness each season.

“We were all deeply saddened by the tragic bus crash involving the Humboldt Bronco’s and we have made it a priority to do whatever we can to help aid in the healing process,” said Jennifer

MARK CROSS

YORK LIONS

Schedule and

results

2018-19 REGULAR SEASON SCHEdule

2017-18 REGULAR SEASON RESULTS

DATE Wed. Oct. 3 Fri. Oct. 12 Sat. Oct. 13 Fri. Oct. 19 Sat. Oct. 20 Fri. Oct. 26 Sat. Oct. 27 Fri. Nov. 2 Fri. Nov. 9 Sat. Nov. 10 Fri. Nov. 16 Sat. Nov. 17 Thu. Nov. 22 Sat. Nov. 24 Fri. Nov. 30 Sat. Dec. 1 Fri. Jan. 4 Sat. Jan. 5 Thu. Jan. 10 Sat. Jan. 12 Fri. Jan. 18 Sat. Jan. 19 Fri. Jan. 25 Mon. Jan. 28 Fri. Feb. 1 Sun. Feb. 3 Sat. Feb. 9 Sun. Feb. 10

DATE Fri. Oct. 13 Sat. Oct. 14 Fri. Oct. 20 Sat. Oct. 21 Fri. Oct. 27 Sat. Oct. 28 Thu. Nov. 2 Sat. Nov. 4 Sun. Nov. 5 Fri. Nov. 10 Sat. Nov. 11 Fri. Nov. 17 Sat. Nov. 18 Fri. Nov. 24 Sat. Nov. 25 Fri. Dec. 1 Sat. Dec. 2 Fri. Jan. 5 Sun. Jan. 7 Fri. Jan. 12 Sat. Jan. 13 Fri. Jan. 19 Sat. Jan. 20 Fri. Jan. 26 Sat. Jan. 27 Fri. Feb. 2 Thu. Feb. 8 Sat. Feb. 10

OPPONENT TIME vs. Toronto 7pm at Brock 7:15pm vs. Guelph 7pm at Concordia 7:30pm at UOIT 7:30pm vs. Laurentian 7pm vs. Laurentian 7pm vs. Ryerson 7pm at Lakehead 7pm at Lakehead 7pm vs. Windsor 7pm vs. Laurier 7pm at Guelph 7:30pm vs. Toronto 7pm at Waterloo 7pm at Laurier 3:30pm vs. Toronto 7pm vs. Brock 7pm at Guelph 7:30pm at Western 7pm vs. Western 7pm at Ryerson 2:15pm vs. Waterloo 7pm at Toronto 11am at Windsor 7:30pm vs. Brock 7pm at Brock 7:15pm vs. Ryerson 7pm

OPPONENT TIME vs. Windsor W 3-2 at Brock W 4-3 (SO) vs. UOIT W 3-1 vs. RMC W 4-1 at Toronto W 4-1 vs. Ryerson W 4-1 at Laurier L 6-2 vs. Waterloo W 2-0 vs. Guelph L 4-1 at Western W 5-4 (SO) vs. Lakehead W 4-2 at Waterloo L 6-4 at Windsor L 5-3 at Carleton W 3-2 (SO) at Ottawa L 4-3 (SO) vs. Laurier W 4-1 at Ryerson L 5-2 vs. Brock L 4-2 at Toronto L 5-3 vs. Lakehead W 5-4 (SO) vs. Western L 3-1 at Ryerson W 3-2 vs. Brock W 3-0 at Lakehead W 5-4 (OT) at Lakehead W 4-0 vs. Guelph L 3-2 at Guelph L 6-2 vs. Toronto W 6-1

2017-18 OUA PLAYOFF RESULTS

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DATE Thu. Feb. 15 Sat. Feb. 17 Sun. Feb. 18 Wed. Feb. 21 Sat. Feb. 24 Wed. Feb. 28 Fri. Mar. 2 Sat. Mar. 3 Fri. Mar. 9

OPPONENT RESULT at Lakehead L 3-2 (3OT) vs. Lakehead W 4-2 * vs. Lakehead W 5-1 * vs. Ryerson W 6-3 ^ at Ryerson W 3-2 ^ vs. Brock L 6-2 # at Brock W 4-3 (OT) # vs. Brock L 3-2 # at Concordia L 3-2 +

* OUA First Round (best of three) ^ OUA Quarter-final (best of three) # OUA Semifinal (best of three) + OUA Bronze Medal Game Final playoff record: 5-4

YORKULIONS.CA/IAMALION 2018-19 menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hockey

2017-18

STATS

REGULAR SEASON INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

PLAYOFF INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

# NAME GP G

PTS PIM PPG SHG ENG GWG

16 Trevor Petersen 28 8 13 21 2 3 0 2 0 17 Reid Jackman 27 8 12 20 50 3 1 0 2 10 Colton Vanucci 28 10 10 20 22 0 1 0 2 24 Derek Sheppard 28 4 15 19 38 1 0 0 0 22 Shayne Rover 28 2 15 17 4 0 0 0 1 20 Scott Feser 26 10 6 16 22 1 3 0 0 15 Morgan Messenger 27 1 15 16 10 0 1 0 0 8 Josh LaFrance 27 10 5 15 20 3 0 0 3 26 Justin Bean 28 2 12 14 18 0 0 0 0 71 Kyle Campbell 25 7 6 13 42 3 1 1 2 12 Alex Mowbray 28 5 6 11 8 0 0 2 0 7 Stefano Pezzetta 26 6 2 8 25 0 0 0 1 27 Andrew Doyle 26 3 4 7 0 0 0 0 0 23 Sal Filice 27 0 7 7 24 0 0 0 0 4 Jack Goranson 25 1 6 7 12 0 0 0 0 9 Nik Coric 16 1 5 6 2 0 0 0 1 11 Daniel Nikandrov 13 3 3 6 0 1 1 0 1 21 Nick Zottl 21 0 4 4 35 0 0 0 0 37 Kegan Blasby 10 2 1 3 2 0 0 0 0 28 Dexter Bricker 15 0 3 3 20 0 0 0 0 5 Ben Verrall 11 1 2 3 6 0 0 0 0 19 Giusten Annetta 7 1 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 14 Adam Marsh 3 2 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 Nicolas Crescenzi 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 # Name GP MIN

GAA SV

SV% SO

30 Mack Shields 17 975:54 39 2.40 488 .926 3 35 Alex Fotinos 12 726:15 32 2.64 363 .919 1

PTS PIM PPG SHG ENG GWG

15 Morgan Messenger 9 4 7 11 4 1 0 0 1 16 Trevor Petersen 9 6 3 9 0 1 0 0 2 10 Colton Vanucci 9 4 5 9 4 0 0 1 0 20 Scott Feser 9 1 5 6 2 0 0 0 0 11 Daniel Nikandrov 9 3 3 6 4 1 0 0 0 24 Derek Sheppard 9 2 4 6 16 1 0 0 0 26 Justin Bean 9 0 5 5 20 0 0 0 0 9 Nik Coric 8 1 4 5 0 0 0 0 0 17 Reid Jackman 9 2 3 5 8 1 0 0 0 71 Kyle Campbell 9 2 2 4 8 0 0 1 0 8 Josh LaFrance 9 1 3 4 8 0 0 0 0 27 Andrew Doyle 9 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 12 Alex Mowbray 9 1 2 3 4 0 0 0 1 21 Nick Zottl 9 0 3 3 14 0 0 0 0 23 Sal Filice 9 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 14 Adam Marsh 3 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 7 Stefano Pezzetta 9 1 0 1 2 0 0 0 0 5 Ben Verrall 6 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 Nicolas Crescenzi 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 22 Shayne Rover 9 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 # Name GP MIN

30 Mack Shields 9

594:28 25

GAA SV

SV% SO

2.52 280 .918 0

W-L

5-4

W-L

10-7 7-4

TEAM STATISTICS OFFENCE

Goals Assists Goals per game Shots on goal Shots per game PIM Power play goals Power play opportunities Power play percentage DEFENCE

Goals against Goals against average Saves Save percentage

REG. SEASON PLAYOFFS

87 153 3.11 928 33.1 372 15 97 15.5

30 53 3.33 348 38.7 102 5 21 23.8

79 2.78 851 .915

26 2.62 280 .915

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YORK LIONS

SEASON

OUTLOOK

The York Lions men’s hockey team enters the 2018-19 season after a successful three-year run that has seen the team bring home an OUA championship, an OUA West division title and finish no lower than second-place in their division. After a Queen’s Cup victory and an appearance in the national championship tournament in the 2016-17 season, the Lions fell just short last year of a return trip to the national finals. The squad finished in second place in the OUA West division during the 2017-18 regular season with a 17-10-1 record and cruised through the first two rounds of the playoffs with victories over the Lakehead Thunderwolves and Ryerson Rams. However, in the OUA semi-final series they dropped a close 3-2 deciding game to the Brock Badgers and lost by the same score against the Concordia Stingers in the OUA bronze medal match to finish the year in fourth place.

While the Lions graduated a number of key veterans over the last few seasons, they still have a solid core of returning players who Herrington will count on for leadership both on and off the ice. Reid Jackman returns for his fifth and final year with the Lions and has steadily become more of an offensive threat each year in the league. He’ll be joined by returning veterans Daniel Nikandrov, Scott Feser and Josh LaFrance who will all be counted on to put points on the board for the team this season. Sophomore Morgan Messenger will also hope to pick up where he left off last season when he led the Lions with 11 points in nine playoff games. The veterans up front will be joined by a crop of intriguing rookies, including Rylee Zimmer, Josh Harris, Matthew Neault and Nik Malenica. The first-year Lions come to the team with impressive junior pedigrees and their games should translate well in the OUA.

WE’VE BEEN PREACHING THAT WE HAVE A BIGGER PURPOSE NOW AND HOPEFULLY EVERYONE CAN FEEL THAT AND USE IT TO HAVE SUCCESS THIS YEAR

“

RUSS

“

HERRINGTON ON SEASON EXPECTATIONS “Our expectations really haven’t changed,” says Lions head coach Russell Herrington on what he expects from his team this year. “We want our players to be elite in the classroom, tremendous ambassadors in the community and excellent teammates to each other. We’re trying to improve each day and attack every opportunity that we’re given. We’re not sure how that’s going to shake out in the end but we’re going to give it our best shot.” The Lions players and staff experienced an emotional off-season with the loss of former teammate and mentor Mark Cross. In September, the team completed a three-game pre-season tour of Saskatchewan in which they honoured Cross’ memory and all those lost in the Humboldt Broncos tragic bus crash. Herrington hopes the trip has brought the team together and was extremely proud of how his team handled themselves through trying circumstances. “I hope it has brought us together,” says Herrington. “Going through the tour was difficult at times but I think the fact that we all went through it has brought us together. The players showed tremendous empathy and compassion towards each other, our staff and the people in Saskatchewan. The reception by the people in Saskatchewan was incredible and way beyond what I could have imagined. We’ve been preaching that we have a bigger purpose now and hopefully everyone can feel that and use it to have success this year.”

Defensively the Lions will be anchored by third-year rearguard Nick Zottl, who will step into a leadership role this season as the most senior member of the team’s defence. He’ll be joined by four newcomers in Jeremy Lucchini, Matthew Ferrari, Bradley Forrest and Mark Wilson, all of whom Herrington expects will be able to step into the lineup and contribute this season. In the crease, goalies Mack Shields and Alex Fotinos both return for their third seasons with the team. Herrington feels confident in either goalie and anticipates their play will be one of the strengths on the team again this season. “One of our strengths is definitely our goaltending,” says Herrington. “Alex Fotinos and Mack Shields are both entering their third years and they’ve proven in the past that they’re both among the elite goaltenders in the OUA. We’re hoping that trend continues, and they take another step forward this year.” With three successful seasons in the rear view mirror the Lions will be looking to continue their latest run of excellence this season. With a promising recruiting class, a solid core of returning veterans, and a number of key players ready to step into larger roles this season, the 2018-19 version of the Lions has the makings of another top team in the OUA.

2018-19 men’s hockey

player

profile

REID JACKMAN By Stella Isaac

Reid Jackman is in his fifth and final year of university. He’s been an integral member of the York Lions’ hockey team and last season was Jackman’s best yet; he played in 27 regular season games as forward, scored eight goals and had 12 assists. One would not guess by looking at Jackman’s statistics throughout the years that he was not recruited to be on the team but was a walk-on and was, in fact, considering retiring after high school. In his first year of university (the 2014-2015 season) the Lions finished last place in their division and by the 2016-2017 season, the Lions won OUA Gold. Jackman began playing hockey at the age of three. His dad was his biggest influencer in the sport. Jackman recalls his father and uncle playing together when he was just a toddler; a possible ploy to get Jackman to start playing hockey and develop an interest in the sport as early as possible. It worked. Jackman developed quickly in the sport. His family had a skating rink in their backyard and he’d play with his friends and his dad. Growing up, Jackman played many sports competitively such as baseball and hockey. He soon had to give up other sports in order to focus full-time on hockey, the sport he seemed to be naturally leaning towards and which demanded more of his time and focus. After high school, Jackman was going to retire from playing hockey. No universities had expressed their interest in the Brampton Bombers player. Nevertheless, Jackman decided to contact Jim Wells, the head coach of York University at the time. Wells provided Jackman with an opportunity to try-out for a spot on the team as a walk-on and he made the team to start the 2014-15 season. In his first year, Jackman played in 22 games, scored three goals and had one assist and as a team, the Lions finished last in their division. In Jackman’s second year, the Lions’ coaching staff changed drastically, influencing the culture and dynamic of the players on the ice and in the classroom. One of the key changes the Lions saw was the hiring of Chris Dennis as head coach. Dennis, who spent ten years in the NHL as an assistant coach, drastically changed the system and program of the team, according to Jackman. The team has evolved since then and Jackman is the last remaining player from the 2014-2015 season. “The culture has drastically changed since my first year and I’m proud to say I’ve been a part of that,” says Jackman. “This team is a family and one of the tightest teams I’ve been a part of.” Jackman also attributes the current culture of the hockey team to head coach Russ Herrington, who enters his second season as head coach after previously serving as an assistant coach. Jackman states Herrington always has the team’s best interest in mind.

YORK LIONS

The goal for Jackman, who has become an undeniable leader to the team, and the remainder of the team is to make it the national championships for their 2018-2019 season. Beyond that, in his personal and professional life, his goal is to play professional hockey either in North America but more likely in Europe and in the future return to school for physiotherapy or to become a chiropractor. Jackman’s career has been a journey that reflects his personal growth as well as the growth of the team that went from last in their division to one of the best in the OUA.

GETTING TO KNOW REID Favourite player? Connor McDavid Pre-game or post-game meal? McDonald’s after a Saturday game Favourite sports memory? Winning the OUA championship Biggest supporter? Parents for sure

THE

COACHES RUSS HERRINGTON

JESSIE MESSIER

Russ Herrington was named the head coach of the Lions men’s hockey team in 2017 after two seasons as an assistant with the program.

Jesse Messier returned to the Lions in 2015 as a coach after previously spending five years as a player with the program.

HEAD COACH

Herrington has more than 20 years of coaching experience. He spent 12 seasons as a junior A head coach in Thornhill, Markham and Streetsville. He won more than 300 games in that span, was a twotime all-star coach and the Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL) coach of the year in 2003. He guided the Markham Waxers to the 2003 OJHL South Division championship, the team’s first division title in 20 years, and reached the 2006 RBC Cup with the Streetsville Derbys. He was also an AAA head coach for eight years with the York Simcoe Express and the South Central Coyotes, and throughout his coaching career has seen more than 100 players graduate to the OHL, CIS, NCAA and professional ranks. As a player, Herrington spent three seasons with the Mustangs (199093) and went on to a free agent tryout with the Toronto Maple Leafs and one season with the South Carolina Stingrays in the East Coast Hockey League (ECHL). He and his wife, Janice, have a son Griffin and a daughter Regan, who is a varsity athlete with the women’s volleyball team at Acadia University.

JESSIE COOK

ASSISTANT COACH Jesse Cook was added to the Lions coaching staff in 2017 after previously spending five years at York while earning his kinesiology and health science degree and his athletic therapy certificate. He was also a member of the Lions men’s hockey team. Cook is the co-owner and director of strength and conditioning at TPA Sports and the assistant director of Athlete Training Services. He is also the head strength and conditioning coach of the Brampton Beast Hockey Club and the men’s Chinese U20 national team. His coaching resume includes serving as the head coach of the Whitby Wildcats in the Ontario Minor Hockey Association, head coach of the Toronto Attack in the Greater Metro Junior A Hockey League from 201316, where he was the league’s coach of the year in 2016, and the assistant coach at Upper Canada College in 2010-11.

ALEX DJOGOVIC

ASSISTANT COACH

Messier had a tremendous career with the Lions, finishing his five years ranked 10th alltime in program scoring with 129 points in 133 games played. The team captain for three years, he was an OUA West all-star in 2012, a member of the OUA West all-rookie team in 2010 and led the Lions in scoring in each of his final three seasons. After finishing with the Lions in 2014 he signed a professional contract with the Toledo Walleye in the ECHL and spent last season with the Allen Americans, winning the ECHL championship. Messier is also the varsity athletics representative for the Athletics & Recreation Department and is responsible for scheduling and travel arrangements.

BRETT MOLNAR

ASSISTANT COACH Brett Molnar joins the Lions coaching staff this season. Molnar has most recently been the head coach at St. John’s Jesuit High School and Academy in Toledo, Ohio from 2015-18. As a player, Molnar played with Bowling Green State University before transferring to Ohio University, where he served as captain his junior and senior seasons. Molnar was an assistant coach of the Carmel Icehounds and helped lead the team to an Indiana Division 2 state championship in 2012. He has been assistant coach of the Sylvania North Stars ’02 AAA team from 2013-15.

ROB HEHOLT

GOALTENDING COACH Rob Heholt joined the Lions coaching staff as the goaltending coach in 2008. A former football player at York, he is an instructor for McGuire Goaltending in Toronto and a head coach in the North York Knights minor hockey club. Heholt is also an assistant coach with the standing amputee national team and won a gold medal with the squad at the 2010 world championships in Montreal.

ASSISTANT COACH

Alex Djogovic enters his first season as part of the Lions coaching staff this year. During his playing career Djogovic played for both the Villanova Knights of the OJHL and the Toronto Moose of the GMHL. Djogovic was an assistant coach with the Toronto Jr. Canadiens of the OJHL for two seasons from 2013-15 and has also served as an assistant coach with both the Milton Icehawks and the Toronto Patriots, also of the OJHL.

DAVID LISI KYLE FREY

STUDENT THERAPIST STUDENT THERAPIST

2018-19 men’s hockey

Captains and Returning Players

SCOTT FESER

F • 6-3 • 215 5th Year

F • 5-10 • 185 3rd Year

Captain

Commerce, Finance Red Deer, Alta. Notre Dame H.S. Swift Current (WHL)

• Tied for the team lead in goals scored last season with ten and finished second in the OUA with three short-handed goals • Earned the team’s Guy Burry That’s a Lion Award for best representing the ideals, values and behaviours of the men’s hockey program • Tied for second in OUA playoff scoring with nine points in 2016-17. Scored two game-winning goals in the playoffs, including the series clincher against Lakehead • U SPORTS academic all-Canadian • A speedy two-way player who understands the game well • Spent five seasons in the WHL with Red Deer and Swift Current, registering 105 points in 230 games, and was an assistant captain with the Broncos in final season

Year GP G A PTS PIM 2016-17 28 4 7 11 18 2017-18 26 10 6 16 22 Total 54 14 13 27 40

Associate Captain

Year 2014-15 2015-16 2016-17 2017-18 Total

GP G A PTS PIM 22 3 1 4 20 28 7 4 11 24 28 2 3 5 18 27 8 12 20 50 105 20 20 40 112

NICK ZOTTL

Liberal Arts & Professional Studies Sarnia, Ont. Northern C.I. Mississauga Steelheads (OHL)

• Appeared in 21 games on defence and all nine playoff games last season, recording a total of seven points, all assists • U SPORTS academic all-Canadian in 2016-17 • A big, solid defenceman who knows his game well and is tough to play against • Played three seasons in the OHL with Mississauga, recording 19 points in 120 games • Also spent one year with Mississauga in the OJHL

Year GP G A PTS PIM 2016-17 22 2 4 6 26 2017-18 21 0 4 4 35 Total 43 2 8 10 61

DEXTER BRICKER

F • 5-11 • 186 3rd Year Cognitive Science Saskatoon, Sask. Bethlehem C.H.S. Kindersley (SJHL) • A hard-working forward with offensive ability who is also counted on for defensive play • Has appeared in 31 games over two seasons with the Lions netting nine points • Earned the team’s Bill Purcell Community Leadership Award last season • U SPORTS academic all-Canadian in 2016-17 • Played parts of three seasons in the WHL with Red Deer, Regina and Lethbridge

Year GP G A PTS PIM 2016-17 16 2 4 6 10 2017-18 15 0 3 3 20 Total 31 2 7 9 30

YORK LIONS

GP 20 17 37

W-L-T 13-7-0 10-7-0 23-14-0

DANIEL NIKANDROV

F • 6-1 • 190 3rd Year

Associate Captain

Economics Richmond Hill, Ont. Northern C.I. Peterborough Petes (OHL)

• Played in 13 games at forward last season and recorded six points • Named York’s male athlete of the week for the period ending Feb. 11 after five points in two games on the last weekend of the season • Appeared in 23 regular season games as a rookie forward in 2016-17 and scored the first goal of his career in a loss against Concordia • Spent five seasons in the OHL with the Sarnia Sting and Peterborough Petes and was the team captain in Sarnia, recording 132 points (43 goals, 87 assists) in 256 games • Born in Israel and didn’t step on the ice until he moved to Canada at age 10 and was a fourth-round draft pick in the OHL a little more than five years later

Year 2016-17 2017-18 Total

GP G A PTS PIM 23 4 5 9 2 13 3 3 6 0 36 7 8 15 2

MACK SHIELDS

ALEX FOTINOS

G • 6-3 • 195 3rd Year

G • 6-0 • 176 3rd Year

Commerce, Accounting Saskatoon, Sask. Centennial Collegiate Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL)

Political Science Toronto, Ont. De La Salle College Aurora Tigers (OJHL)

• Started 17 games in net last season and was named an OUA West second-team all-star • Tied for fourth in the OUA in save percentage (.926) and was fifth in goals against average (2.40) • U SPORTS second-team all-Canadian, U SPORTS all-rookie team, U SPORTS academic all-Canadian, OUA West rookie of the year, OUA West first-team all-star and OUA West allrookie team in 2016-17 • Led the OUA in goals against average and was second in save percentage in 2016-17 • Spent four seasons in the WHL with Calgary, Prince George and Medicine Hat

Year 2016-17 2017-18 Total

Kinesiology & Health Science Etobicoke, Ont. Michael Power/St. Joseph H.S. Brampton (GOJHL)

• Tied for second in team scoring in 2017-18 with a career-high 20 points and also had career highs in goals (eight) and assists (12) • Netted a pair of game-winners, against Windsor and Toronto in October • Has scored 11 points in 18 playoff games over the last two seasons • A big power forward with soft hands and a great shot • Has experience in the OHL, OJHL and BCHL

D • 6-5 • 230 3rd Year

Associate Captain

REID JACKMAN

GAA SV% 1.78 .930 2.40 .926 2.05 .928

• Played in 12 games and started 11 in net last season • Named York’s male athlete of the week for the period ending Nov. 26 after making 88 saves over two games to earn three points for the Lions • A smart, technically sound goaltender with plenty of upside • Spent four seasons in the OHL with Barrie and Windsor • Was the starting goalie in Windsor for two seasons, picking up 31 wins

Year 2016-17 2017-18 Total

D • 6-2 • 190 3rd Year

GAA 2.39 2.64 2.54

SV% .927 .919 .923

JOSH LAFRANCE

F • 6-1 • 185 3rd Year

Communications/ Political Science Red Deer, Alta. Notre Dame H.S. Olds Grizzlys (AJHL)

Year GP G A PTS PIM 2016-17 7 0 0 0 2 2017-18 25 1 6 7 12 Total 32 1 6 7 14

W-L-T 5-3-0 7-4-0 12-7-0

JACK GORANSON

• Played in 25 regular-season games on defence last season • Scored the first goal of his career in a 4-2 win over Lakehead in November as part of a two-point night • U SPORTS academic all-Canadian in 2016-17 • Has a strong work ethic and a great hockey sense • Spent four seasons in the AJHL with Okotoks and Olds, recording 73 points in 155 games

GP 9 12 21

Geography & Urban Studies Barrie, Ont. St. Joseph’s H.S. Hamilton Red Wings (OJHL) • Returned to the lineup last season after missing all of 2016-17 season • Played in 27 regular season games and all nine playoff games and tied for team lead in goals with ten • A skilled winger with a hard shot and a knack for scoring • Appeared in 98 games over two seasons with Hamilton in the OJHL, finishing second in team scoring in 2014-15 with 47 points

Year 2015-16 2017-18 Total

GP G A 7 0 1 27 10 5 34 10 6

PTS PIM 1 16 15 20 16 36

Returning Players and Transfers

STEFANO PEZZETTA

F • 6-0 • 205 3rd Year Commerce, Finance North York, Ont. De La Salle College Pickering Panthers (OJHL) • Played in 26 regular-season games at forward and all nine playoff games last season • Scored the first goal of his career in a 3-1 win over UOIT and had the game winner against Ryerson in October • Hard-working and dedicated to improving himself on the ice • Spent one season in the OHL with Owen Sound, and parts of three seasons in the OJHL with Pickering and St. Michael’s

Year 2016-17 2017-18 Total

GP G A PTS PIM 8 0 0 0 24 26 6 2 8 25 34 6 2 8 49

SAL FILICE

D • 6-0 • 195 2nd Year Liberal Arts & Professional Studies Mississauga, Ont. Ascension of Our Lord C.S.S.

Oakville Blades (OJHL) • Appeared in 27 games as a rookie defencemen last year recording seven points, all assists • Played in all nine playoff games and had one assist • A smooth-skating defenceman with a high hockey IQ. Can move the puck and jump into the rush at the right times • Appeared in 196 regular-season games over four seasons in the OJHL with Toronto and Oakville, recording 68 points

Year GP G A PTS PIM 2016-17 28 4 7 11 18 2017-18 26 10 6 16 22 Total 54 14 13 27 40

JUSTIN BEAN

D • 6-1 • 205 2nd Year Liberal Arts & Professional Studies Pickering, Ont. Dunbarton H.S. Wellington Dukes (OJHL) • A strong-skating defenceman with good offensive instincts and a big shot • Played in all 28 regular-season games as a rookie defenceman in 2017-18 and ranked ninth in team scoring with 14 points • Played in all nine playoff games and finished seventh in team scoring with five points • Spent parts of three other seasons with the Wellington Dukes on the OJHL, putting up 82 points in 110 games and also played in 76 games in the OHL with Belleville and Mississauga

Year GP G A PTS PIM 2017-18 28 2 12 14 18 Total 28 2 12 14 18

MORGAN MESSENGER

BEN VERRALL

D • 5-10 • 190 2nd Year Business & Society Newmarket, Ont. Sacred Heard C.H.S. Whitby Fury (OJHL) • A playmaking forward with tremendous vision and offensive flair • Played in 16 regular-season games as a rookie forward last year and scored his first career goal, the game winner, in a 4-1 victory over Laurier in December • Finished third in OJHL scoring and second in assists in 2016-17 with 56 assists and 79 points in 52 games played with Whitby, where he was also an assistant captain • Named the OJHL’s most gentlemanly player and earned second-team all-star honours last year

Year GP G A PTS PIM 2017-18 16 1 5 6 2 Total 16 1 5 6 2

ALEX MOWBRAY

F • 5-10 • 185 2nd Year

F • 5-11 • 192 2nd Year

Business & Society Cape Sable Island, N.S. Barrington Municipal H.S. Whitecourt (AJHL)

Commerce Calgary, Alta. Bishop O’Byrne Sr H.S. Spokane Chiefs (WHL)

• Appeared in 27 regular-season games last year as a rookie forward and tied for the team lead in assists (15) and was tied for sixth overall in team scoring with 16 points • Led the team and tied for fourth in OUA playoff scoring with 11 points (four goals, seven assists) • Named York’s male athlete of the week for the period ending Feb. 19 after scoring three points in the first round of the playoffs, including the series clinching goal against Lakehead • A complete 200-foot player who can play up and down the line-up • Played two seasons with Whitecourt and one with Lloydminster in the AJHL, amassing 131 points in 170 games

Year GP G A PTS PIM 2017-18 27 1 15 16 10 Total 27 1 15 16 10

NIK CORIC

PETER DE COPPI

• Played in all 28 regular-season games last year as a rookie forward and recorded 11 points • Scored the first goal of his career in a 4-1 win over Toronto as part of a two-point performance • Earned the team’s Ian Macdonald Academic Excellence Award • A quick and tenacious winger who is strong on the forecheck and provides a solid presence in front of the net • Spent four seasons in the WHL with Medicine Hat and Spokane, totalling 49 points in 212 games

Year GP G A PTS PIM 2017-18 28 5 6 11 8 Total 28 5 6 11 8

JUSTIN MAIOLINO

D • 6-3 • 200 2nd Year

F • 6-4 • 228 4th Year

F • 5-7 • 165 2nd Year

Kinesiology & Health Science Saskatoon, Sask. Centennial Collegiate Cowichan Valley (BCHL)

Liberal Arts & Professional Studies Aurora, Ont. City Academy Queen’s (U SPORTS)

Commerce, Finance Loretto, Ont. St. Thomas Aquinas C.S.S. University of Calgary (U SPORTS)

• A steadying influence who provides a physical presence and has a good first pass • Played in 11 games as a rookie defenceman and recorded three points • Scored the first goal of his career in a 5-4 win over Lakehead • Spent three seasons with Cowichan Valley in the BCHL, appearing in 132 games and totaling 29 points • Grew up in the same neighbourhood as York goaltender Mack Shields and played on the same bantam hockey team, winning a city championship together

• Played 43 games with Queen’s Gaels over the last three seasons, scoring eight goals and adding five assists • Played with Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds of the OHL and Rouyn-Noranda Huskies of the QMJHL early in his junior career • Spent two seasons in the OJHL and one in the CCHL

• Spent parts of two seasons with the Calgary Dinos of the CanWest conference • Spent four seasons in the OJHL with the Newmarket Hurricanes and Toronto Jr. Canadiens and was the team captain of the Canadiens in 2015-16 • Accumulated 176 points (52 goals, 124 assists) in 185 OJHL career games, including a career-best 60 points (20 goals, 40 assists) in 54 games in 2012-13

Year GP G A PTS PIM 2017-18 11 1 2 3 6 Total 11 1 2 3 6

2018-19 men’s hockey

INCOMING Players

KALEB DAHLGREN

F • 5-11 • 185 1st Year Commerce Saskatoon, Sask. Holy Cross H.S. Humboldt Broncos (SJHL) • High character forward who brings a physical presence to the lineup • Played 156 regular season games over four seasons in the SJHL with Notre Dame Hounds and Humboldt Broncos • Recorded 65 total points (25 goals, 40 assists) in SJHL including a career-high 32 with Humboldt last season where he served as assistant captain • Started ‘Dahlgren’s Diabeauties,’ a program aimed at supporting local kids with type 1 diabetes

BRADLEY FORREST

G • 5-11 • 165 1st Year

D • 6-2 • 190 1st Year

Human Resource Management Mississauga, Ont. St. Marcellinus S.S. Toronto Jr. Canadiens (OJHL)

Liberal Arts & Professional Studies Woodbridge, Ont. Bill Crothers Aurora Tigers (OJHL)

• Athletic goalie with the knack for making big saves at crucial points in the game • Played three seasons in the OJHL with the Newmarket Hurricanes and Toronto Jr. Canadiens • Appeared in 91 games with a 44-40 record and set career bests last season with 19 wins and a 2.92 goals against average

JOSH HARRIS

• Defenceman with fast feet who makes good decisions with the puck • •Played in 31 games with the Acadie-Bathurst Titan of the QMJHL in 2016-17, recorded six assists and a plus-4 rating • Played parts of five season in the OJHL with the Toronto Jr. Canadiens, North York Rangers and Aurora Tigers. Appeared in 139 games and scored 68 points (10 goals, 58 assists) • Scored 15 points in 16 playoff games for Toronto in 2014-15 season

JEREMY LUCCHINI

F • 6-0 • 175 1st Year

D • 5-9 • 160 1st Year

Business & Society Calgary, Alta. Bishop Gradin H.S. Spruce Grove (AJHL)

Health Studies Edmonton, Alta. St. Francis Xavier Spruce Grove (AJHL)

Trail, B.C. J.L Crowe S.S. Trail Smoke Eaters (BCHL)

NIK MALENICA

F • 6-6 • 220 1st Year Liberal Arts & Professional Studies Nanaimo, B.C. Woodlands H.S. Kindersley Klippers (SJHL) • Physical winger with a scoring touch • Played three seasons in SJHL split between Humboldt Broncos and Kindersley Klippers. • Set a career-high in points last year with Kindersley scoring 38 points (15 games, 23 assists) in 50 games. Named team’s playoff most valuable player • Appeared in 11 games with the Everett Silvertips of the WHL in 2014-15

RYLEE ZIMMER

F • 6-2 • 180 1st Year Busines & Society Russell, Man. Bishop O’Byrne Senior H.S. Virden Oil Capitals (MJHL) • Well-travelled centre with offensive ability who has played in the WHL, MJHL and SJHL in his career • Played 49 games over two seasons with the Regina Pats of the WHL from 2013-15 • Had the highest scoring output of his career in 2016-17 with Flin Flon Bombers of the SJHL netting 64 points (21 goals, 43 assists) in 50 games

YORK LIONS

MATTHEW FERRARI

D • 5-10 • 175 1st Year

• Defenceman who has poise with the puck and elite vision • Appeared in 150 games in three seasons with Medicine Hat Tigers of WHL, scoring four goals and 32 assists • Also played three seasons in the AJHL with Calgary Mustangs and Spruce Grove Saints, totaling 76 points (18 goals, 58 assists) • Set a career-high with 39 points (4 goals, 35 assists) in 58 games last season split between Calgary and Spruce Grove

DALTON EWING

• Two-way player with strong leadership abilities • Played four full seasons with Spruce Grove Saints of the AJHL and was named team captain • Set the Spruce Grove franchise records for games played (225), goals (73), assists (112) and points (185). Led the team in scoring in 2016-17 with 55 points • Won the league championship with Spruce Grove twice. Scored the winning goal in the final game last year to clinch the championship

MATTHEW NEAULT

F • 6-0 • 180 1st Year Health Studies Lively, Ont. Lo Ellen Park S.S. Rayside Balfour Canadiens (NOJHL) • Gritty forward with scoring ability • Spent four seasons playing in the NOJHL with Rayside-Balfour Canadians, Blind River Beavers and Sudbury Nickel Barons. Team captain of Rayside-Balfour • Set career-highs in goals (21), assists (28) and points (49) in the 2017-18 season with Rayside-Balfour • Set the all-time games played record in the NOJHL last year (244)

• Right-handed shot defenceman with offensive upside • Appeared in 175 games over four seasons with the Trail Smoke Eaters of the BCHL • Scored nine goals and 66 assists over BCHL career, including a career-high 39 points (5 goals, 34 assists) last season

MARK WILSON

D • 6-2 • 195 1st Year Commerce Winnipeg, Man.

St. John’s Ravenscourt School

Steinbach Pistons (MJHL) • Solid puck moving defenceman with the ability to play a high-tempo game • Played four seasons in the MJHL with the Winnipeg Blues, Selkirk Steelers and Steinbach Pistons • Appeared in 168 games and scored 65 points in MJHL career (14 goals, 51 assists) • Won the MJHL championship with Steinbach last season

2017-18 award recipients Mark Cross Heart of a Lion Award Shayne Rover

David Kosoy Best Teammate Award Andrew Doyle

Dave Chambers Most Outstanding Player Award Colton Vannucci

Bob Hedley Unsung Hero Award Nicolas Crescenzi

Bill Maguire Yeoman’s Service Award Jesse Messier

Bill Purcell Community Leadership Award Dexter Bricker

Graham Wise Lasting Legacy Award Derek Sheppard

Ian Macdonald Academic Excellence Award Alex Mowbray

Guy Burry That’s a Lion Award Scott Feser

JOIN THE PRIDE York University’s student-athletes have been competing against rival institutions on the Canadian sport scene for over 40 years. Provincial and national team titles, combined with numerous athletes and coaches who have participated on many of Canada’s national teams, attest to the success of York’s varsity program. Since the inception of organized sport competition in 1965, York has won 173 provincial banners and 36 national titles. Athletics & Recreation offers 19 varsity sport teams that compete in Ontario University Athletics (OUA) and U SPORTS. The varsity sport teams are guided by a tremendous coaching staff that is composed of NCCP certified professionals, many of whom also hold leadership positions in provincial and national sport organizations and are experts in their field of coaching. The staff includes more than 100 dedicated fulltime and part-time coaches.

ACADEMIC & FINANCIAL SUPPORT At York we understand that academic and financial support are significant keys to success at the university level and we have a number of programs in place to provide all the support necessary for student-athletes to thrive.

STRENGTH & CONDITIONING York University is one of only a handful of institutions in Canada that has two dedicated strength and conditioning coaches for its studentathletes. The Lions work closely with strength and conditioning staff, who create programs based on the needs of the athlete and coaches on high-performance lifts and movements. Team and individual workouts are available and education on all aspects of strength and conditioning is provided, including proper warm-ups and cool-downs, plyometrics, power, energy systems development, strength and flexibility. Programs are created for both in-season and off-season workouts. Every training session is designed for the needs of the athlete and individual sport. The training phase and focus changes throughout the year and are based on the competition schedule and off-season periodization program. The strength and conditioning coaches also work closely with the athletic therapy group on rehabilitating injured players. All Lions have access to the varsity strength and conditioning centre, which is for the exclusive use of our student-athletes. Training here allows you to work in a high-performance environment where all equipment and programming is selected with the needs of the high-performance athlete in mind.

Providing Athletes with Winning Strategies (PAWS) Athletics & Recreation has placed the highest priority on supporting its student-athletes in all facets of university life, focusing specifically on helping foster success in the classroom. The PAWS Program provides tutoring across multiple subjects for all students, mentoring from senior student-athletes, academic advising through our academic services coordinator and many of our faculty, and access to our vast network of alumni.

SPORT INJURY CLINIC The Gorman/Shore Sport Injury Clinic features a full staff of athletic therapists and team doctors with significant experience in the medical field, and many of the doctors are recognized as some of the top experts in the country in their specific fields. Athletic Scholarships York University is committed to helping students with demonstrated financial need meet the direct education costs associated with university studies (tuition, books and mandatory course fees). Financial assistance can be provided from a variety of sources including OSAP, scholarships, bursaries, private awards and employment. Athletics & Recreation understands the importance of providing Athletic Financial Awards (AFAs) to entering student-athletes and has developed a number of awards, valued at $22,500 each ($4,500 per year up to five years). These awards are given annually to elite student-athletes that have achieved an 80% entering average and maintain a 6.0 grade point average.

In addition to sport medicine physicians, York employs a large variety of specialists including an orthopedic surgeon, dentist, neurosurgeon, radiologist, cardiologist, physiotherapist, chiropractor, massage therapist, osteopath, pedorthist and a mental health specialist. The team brings to York experience at multiple Olympic Games and world championships, as well as with professional and amateur athletes in a variety of sports. The sport injury clinic is a teaching clinic, with students from the Athletic Therapy Certificate Program doing their clinical placements under the direct supervision of the clinic manager and supervisor. Because of this, most medical care for student-athletes is free of charge. Each Lions varsity team is assigned at least one student athletic therapist who spends the entire season with the team and attends all practices and games. Lions student-athletes also have access to a fully-equipped clinic for all of their treatment needs.

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