SCHEDULE & RESULTS 2017-18 REGULAR SEASON SCHEDULE
2016-17 REGULAR SEASON RESULTS
DATE
OPPONENT
TIME
DATE
OPPONENT
RESULTS
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
vs. Windsor at Brock vs. UOIT vs. RMC at Toronto vs. Ryerson at Laurier vs. Waterloo vs. Guelph at Western vs. Lakehead at Waterloo at Windsor at Carleton at Ottawa vs. Laurier at Ryerson vs. Brock at Toronto vs. Lakehead vs. Western at Ryerson vs. Brock at Lakehead at Lakehead vs. Guelph at Guelph vs. Toronto
7pm 7:15pm 7pm 7pm 7pm 7pm 7:07pm 7pm 7pm 7pm 7pm 7pm 4:15pm 7pm 7pm 7pm 7:15pm 7pm 2pm 7pm 7pm 7:15pm 7pm 7pm 7pm 7pm 7:30pm 7pm
Wed. Oct. 5 Sat. Oct. 8 Fri. Oct. 14 Sat. Oct. 15 Thu. Oct. 20 Sat. Oct. 22 Fri. Oct. 28 Sat. Oct. 29 Thu. Nov. 3 Sat. Nov. 5 Fri. Nov. 11 Sat. Nov. 12 Fri. Nov. 18 Sat. Nov. 19 Fri. Nov. 25 Sat. Nov. 26 Fri. Dec. 2 Sat. Dec. 3 Fri. Jan. 6 Sun. Jan. 8 Sat. Jan. 14 Fri. Jan. 20 Sat. Jan. 21 Fri. Jan. 27 Sat. Jan. 28 Fri. Feb. 3 Sat. Feb. 4 Fri. Feb. 10
at Brock at Laurier vs. Toronto vs. Laurier at Guelph vs. Ryerson vs. Brock vs. Western at Ryerson at Waterloo vs. UQTR vs. Concordia at McGill at Ottawa at Toronto vs. Windsor vs. Carleton vs. Waterloo at Western vs. Guelph at Windsor vs. Queen’s vs. UOIT at Lakehead at Lakehead at Laurentian at Nipissing vs. RMC
L L W W W W L W W L W L L W W W L W W W L W W W W L L W
QUEEN’S CUP CHAMPIONS
4-3 4-3 1-0 4-3 3-1 2-1 (2OT) 3-1 5-0 6-2 2-1 (OT) 3-2 (2OT) 3-2 3-2 (OT) 3-2 (2OT) 5-1 3-2 (2OT) 4-0 6-2 4-2 3-1 1-0 5-4 (SO) 2-1 2-1 (2OT) 3-2 3-2 (2OT) 3-2 5-2
2016-17 OUA PLAYOFF RESULTS Wed. Feb. 15 Fri. Feb. 18 Wed. Feb. 22 Thu. Feb. 23 Wed. Mar. 1 Fri. Mar. 3 Sat. Mar. 4 Sat. Mar. 11
at Lakehead vs. Lakehead vs. Guelph at Guelph at Windsor vs. Windsor vs. Windsor vs. Queen’s
W W W W W L W W
3-2 * 3-1 * 3-2 ^ 6-2 ^ 5-3 # 4-2 # 6-2 # 4-3 +
* OUA First Round (best of three) ^ OUA Quarter-final (best of three) # OUA Semifinal (best of three) + OUA Queen’s Cup Championship Final
2017 U SPORTS CHAMPIONSHIPS RESULTS Fri. Mar. 17
Saskatchewan
L 1-0 (OT) *
* U SPORTS Quarter-final
FINAL REGULAR-SEASON RECORD: 18-6-4 FINAL PLAYOFF RECORD: 7-2
2
YORK LIONS
SEASON OUTLOOK The York Lions men’s hockey team enters the 2017-18 campaign with targets on their backs as the defending champions after last year’s magical run to the Queen’s Cup. The Lions earned three more points in the regular season than the previous year and then went on a remarkable run through the conference playoffs, winning seven of eight games to claim their first Queen’s Cup title since 2004. Their national championship experience ended sooner than they would have liked and in heartbreaking fashion, by a 1-0 score in overtime to the eventual silver-medal winning Saskatchewan Huskies, but overall the Lions had a tremendous season in accomplishing a major goal. “You would rather be the hunted because it means you accomplished something the year before, but that also provides us with a new challenge and it motivates us to build on what we did,” said new head coach Russ Herrington, who was an assistant last season and took over the reins this summer when Chris Dennis accepted a job in the American Hockey League. “It’s going to be a different perspective, but the guys understand now that they have to bring their A game every night because every other team is going to do At the other end of the ice, the Lions were one of the lowerscoring teams in the OUA but still have plenty of offensive the same thing.” talent up and down the line-up. In addition to Sheppard, The Lions were by far the best defensive team in the OUA Trevor Petersen was a top-10 OUA scorer last year and is a last season in allowing just 59 goals in 28 games, three less two-time conference all-star who will be counted on to put than every other team in the conference and 17 less than up big numbers again. Sophomore Scott Feser had a decent their OUA West Division rivals. The defensive unit will be regular season as a rookie but announced his presence in anchored again by team captain Shayne Rover, who is back the playoffs with a breakout performance, averaging one for his fifth and final season and provides the team with a point per game, and is poised to dominate in his second year. steady presence on the blueline. A key cog in the wheel is fourth-year blueliner Derek Sheppard, one of the highest-scoring players in the conference. He is the reigning two-time OUA West defenceman of the year and was also the division’s most valuable player last year after ranking eighth in conference scoring in the regular season and first in the playoffs. The strong defensive unit was backstopped by arguably the best goaltending tandem in the country. Mack Shields was named the OUA West rookie of the year, an OUA and U SPORTS all-rookie team member and an OUA West all-star and U SPORTS all-Canadian after leading the OUA in goals against average and finishing second in save percentage, and he played every minute in the post-season. Behind him was Alex Fotinos, who started nine games and also had impressive numbers with a 2.39 goals against average and a .927 save percentage.
Herrington has pegged three things he believes need to happen in order for the Lions to maintain their place as one of the top teams in the OUA, and his expectations for the squad remain high. “First and foremost we need to stay healthy and our goaltending and defensive play needs to be at or near the top of the league. I would like to see us become a little better offensively in that we finish our chances instead of just generating them, because the 2-1 and 3-2 games are tough to continue winning year after year. “Our expectations are to get better every day. Now that we are in the conversation as one of the best teams in the country, we want to remain there and that requires us to be elite in everything we do. It is our goal to put ourselves in position to return to Fredericton next March.”
You would rather be the hunted because it means you accomplished something the year before. RUSS HERRINGTON, HEAD COACH
2017-18 HOCKEY
3
HOCKEY 2017-2018 2016-17 STATISTICS REGULAR SEASON INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
PLAYOFF INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
#
NAME
GP
G
A
PTS PIM
SHG ENG GWG
24 16 17 18 10 22 71 37 20 4 11 23 28 21 15 12 7 25 26 6 19 44 5
Derek Sheppard Trevor Petersen Greg Milner Steven Janes Colton Vannucci Shayne Rover Kyle Campbell Bryce Milson Scott Feser Tyler Mort Daniel Nikandrov Mitch VanTeeling Dexter Bricker Nick Zottl Reid Jackman Nicholas Geiser Connor Hale Nathan Larson Aaron Spivak Jack Goranson Stefano Pezzetta Mihkel Poldma
28 28 28 24 26 28 26 28 28 26 23 25 16 22 28 23 27 17 8 7 8 28 2
12 11 15 4 4 3 7 6 4 1 4 0 2 2 2 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 0
20 20 6 13 11 11 6 7 7 8 5 7 4 4 3 3 3 2 0 0 0 0 0
32 31 21 17 15 14 13 13 11 9 9 7 6 6 5 4 3 3 1 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
#
Louis-Joseph Sawyer
NAME
GP
MIN
GA
40 8 10 64 10 6 14 10 18 14 2 6 10 26 18 10 18 0 0 2 24 4 0 GAA
SV
0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 SV%
4 2 3 0 0 0 3 0 1 0 1 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
#
NAME
GP
G
A
PTS PPG
SHG ENG GWG PIM
24 20 4 15 18 17 11 10 37 16 21 28 12 7 44 22 26 23 25 71 19
Derek Sheppard Scott Feser Tyler Mort Reid Jackman Steven Janes Greg Milner Daniel Nikandrov Colton Vannucci Bryce Milson Trevor Petersen Nick Zottl Dexter Bricker Nicholas Geiser Connor Hale Mihkel Poldma Shayne Rover Aaron Spivak Mitch VanTeeling Nathan Larson Kyle Campbell Stefano Pezzetta
9 9 9 9 7 9 9 9 9 8 9 9 9 9 9 9 6 5 5 3 1
6 5 1 2 2 4 3 0 1 2 1 2 1 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0
4 4 5 4 4 2 4 6 4 2 3 1 1 2 2 2 0 0 1 0 0
10 9 6 6 6 6 7 6 5 4 4 3 2 2 2 2 1 1 1 0 0
2 1 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
GAA
SV
0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 2 0 1 2 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
18 0 2 4 6 8 0 4 4 16 6 2 4 18 0 2 0 0 2 4 0
# SO
30 Mack Shields 20 1216:24 36 1.78 478 .930 1 35 Alex Fotinos 9 526:43 21 2.39 268 .927 1
NAME
30 Mack Shields
GP MIN
9
GA
SV%
SO
540:29 20 2.22 207 .908 0
W-L
7-2
TEAM STATISTICS OFFENCE
RS
PO
Goals Assists Goals per game Shots on goal Shots per game PIM Power play goals Power play opportunities Power play percentage
80 140 2.86 925 33.0 318 18 99 18.2
32 51 3.56 285 31.7 102 6 26 23.1
DEFENCE
RS
PO
Goals against Goals against average Saves Save percentage
58 2.00 746 .928
21 2.33 207 .908
4
YORK LIONS
THE COACHES RUSS HERRINGTON
JESSE COOK
HEAD COACH
ASSISTANT COACH 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.
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 four seasons with the Mustangs (1990-93) 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 will be a varsity athlete with the women’s volleyball team at Acadia University beginning this fall.
JESSE MESSIER ASSISTANT COACH Jesse Messier returned to the Lions in 2015 as a coach after previously spending five years as a player with the program. Messier had a tremendous career with the Lions, finishing his five years ranked 10th all-time 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.
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 2013-16, where he was the league’s coach of the year in 2016, and the assistant coach at Upper Canada College in 201011.
JUSTIN LARSON ASSISTANT COACH Justin Larson joined the Lions coaching staff in 2017, returning to a team where he played for one season in 2015-16 and ranked third in team scoring and first in points. Prior to joining the Lions, Larson spent four seasons with the Waterloo Warriors, amassing 132 points (55 goals, 77 assists) in 110 regular-season games. In 2012-13, he helped the Warriors win the OUA West Division title and finish fourth at the CIS championships, and that same year he was the CIS leading scorer with 45 points and earned OUA West first-team all-star and CIS second-team all-Canadian honours. After his fifth and final season in the CIS, Larson spent one season playing professionally in Germany, leading the Tilburg Trappers to an Oberliega title and leading the league in playoff scoring.
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.
Larson, who was a four-time CIS academic all-Canadian throughout his career, is studying at Osgoode Hall Law School at York.
Messier is also the varsity sport representative for the Athletics & Recreation Department and is responsible for scheduling and travel arrangements.
GOALTENDING COACH
CJ D’ALIMONTE – VIDEO & ANALYTICS AMANDA DELUCA – CO-HEAD THERAPIST MATT BARANOWICZ – CO-HEAD THERAPIST
2017-18 HOCKEY
ROB HEHOLT 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.
5
PLAYER PROFILE SHAYNE ROVER Shayne Rover is the ultimate captain for the York Lions men’s hockey team and a big reason for its success in recent years. He is the epitome of the culture the coaching staff has worked to instill in the squad: hard-working, consistent and completely on board with the team concept. He has had a tremendous playing career through his first four years, playing in all but one game over that stretch and putting up 14 points in three consecutive seasons. He was named an assistant captain as a sophomore and enters the 2017-18 season as the captain for the second year in a row. Last year he led the Lions to an impressive season on and off the ice. The team won its first Queen’s Cup championship since 2004 and had 11 players earn U SPORTS academic all-Canadian honours, Rover among them. “I think I’ve gotten the most out of my time here,” Rover says about his experiences at York. “I’m working on my second degree in five years, the hockey experience has been amazing and the people are great. Winning the Queen’s Cup with that group of guys and in front of the crowd we had was unbelievable. It was the culmination of my first four years.”
that, it keeps me around football and rugby as well as lets me work with the kids. My dad had a huge influence on my life. He was always around and coaching my teams. I always feel bad talking about my dad because my mom has been just as supportive, but my dad was the athlete of the family and she would be the first to tell you that. His passion for sports and coaching was passed down to me and I get to see through my dad the impact he has on those kids. I’d like to do something like that one day.” Success has followed Rover wherever he has gone, and with him wearing the C for the Lions again this year the team is in good hands. When it’s over next spring and he moves on to new adventures, there is no doubt he will continue to excel in his chosen career.
GETTING TO KNOW SHAYNE Do you collect anything? Lots of stuff! I’m a pack rat. I have a really cool beer bottle cap collection. Favourite TV show growing up? I’m really into cartoons! It’s still pretty much all I want. I’m really into Futurama lately. What is one thing on your life’s bucket list? I want to dunk a basketball! I’m really close. I kind of did this past summer but it didn’t feel like it to me so I really want to put one down. Who would you want to play you in a movie? Bradley Cooper, because I think he’s a good-looking guy!
Rover has experienced success wherever he goes, taking advantage of the opportunities presented to him and making the most of them. His father, Al, is a high school head football coach in his hometown of Newmarket, Ont., but Shayne drifted towards hockey at a young age and showed immediate talent. He continued to play football and rugby throughout the first part of high school, but as a second-round Ontario Hockey League (OHL) draft pick his athletic future was clearly on the ice and he moved to St. Catharines, Ont., at the age of 17 to pursue his hockey dreams. His junior career included five years with the Niagara IceDogs, a total of 298 regular-season and playoff games and an appearance in the 2011-12 OHL championship series. He looks back on that time fondly and calls it a life-changing experience, but after living away from home for so long, the appeal of coming back to the Greater Toronto Area drew him to the Lions. Rover earned his degree in kinesiology and health science in 2016 and then stayed at York to attend teacher’s college and play out his final two years of eligibility with the Lions. It has proven to be a wise decision as the squad has returned to the upper echelons of the standings and is poised to stay there this season. Now in the twilight of his hockey career, Rover is looking ahead to what is next and is planning on following in his father’s footsteps.
PROUD SPONSOR OF THE
YORK LIONS
“I really like working with high-school aged kids. I’ve been working as a volunteer coach with my dad since I graduated and I enjoy
6
YORK LIONS
THE PLAYERS DANIEL ALTSHULLER
G • 6’3 • 205 Commerce, Finance Ottawa, Ont. Charlotte Checkers (AHL)
37
KEGAN BLASBY
F • 6’0 • 215 • 1st Year Geography Markham, Ont. Georgetown Raiders (OJHL)
• A power forward with a high hockey IQ and a great touch around the net • Played one season in Germany with the Starbulls Rosenheim U19 team • Spent two seasons in the OJHL with North York and Georgetown, winning the OJHL title last year and advancing to the final of the Dudley Hewitt Cup • With the Raiders, averaged more than one point per game in the regular season and ranked second in team playoff scoring
9
NIK CORIC
F • 5’10 • 190 • 1st Year Business & Society Newmarket, Ont. Whitby Fury (OJHL)
31
• Will redshirt this season after playing professionally last year • Selected in the third round (69th overall) by the Carolina Hurricanes in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft and spent parts of three seasons in the AHL and ECHL • Started five games to help Canada win the U18 Ivan Hlinka tournament in 2011 • Was the starting goaltender for Canada at the U17 World Hockey Challenge in 2011 • Spent three seasons with Oshawa in the OHL, starting 140 regular season games
• A playmaking forward with tremendous vision and offensive flair • 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
GIUSTEN ANNETTA
• Made the team as a walk-on after a tremendous training camp • A smart up-and-down winger • Likes to be first in on the forecheck and hound the puck • Spent parts of three seasons in the OJHL with Milton, Toronto and Cobourg
F • 6’0 • 185 • 1st Year Chemistry Vaughan, Ont. Toronto Lakeshore Patriots (OJHL)
28
DEXTER BRICKER
F • 5’11 • 186 • 2nd Year Cognitive Science Saskatoon, Sask. Kindersley Klippers (SJHL)
Year GP G A PTS PIM 2016-17 16 2 4 6 10 Total 16 2 4 6 10
19
• A hard-working forward with offensive ability who is also counted on for defensive play • U SPORTS academic all-Canadian • Recorded six points in the regular season and another three in the playoffs • Played parts of three seasons in the WHL with Red Deer, Regina and Lethbridge • Spent last year with Kindersley in the SJHL, recording 65 points in 56 games
NICOLAS CRESCENZI
2
JUSTIN BEAN
• A strong-skating defenceman with good offensive instincts and a big shot • Amassed 39 points in 54 games as captain of the Wellington Dukes in the OJHL last season • Spent parts of three other seasons with the Dukes, putting up D • 6’1 • 205 • 1st Year 82 points in 110 games Liberal Arts & Professional Studies and also played in Pickering, Ont. 76 games in the OHL Wellington Dukes (OJHL) with Belleville and Mississauga
KYLE CAMPBELL
F • 5’11 • 215 • 4th Year Business & Society Halifax, N.S. Yarmouth Mariners (MHL)
Year GP 2014-15 24 2015-16 28 2016-17 26 Total 78
G A PTS PIM 2 7 9 22 3 7 10 18 7 6 13 14 12 20 32 44
ANDREW DOYLE
• A big stay-at-home defenceman • Spent two seasons with LaSalle in the GOJHL, recording 36 points in 88 games • Won Tier 2 YRAA championship with high school team D • 6’3 • 200 • 2nd Year
F • 6’2 • 198 • 5th Year
Year GP G A PTS PIM 2015-16 2 0 0 0 0 Total 2 0 0 0 0
Year GP G A PTS PIM 2012-13 * 26 2 6 8 0 2013-14 * 21 7 9 16 12 2014-15 * 27 2 9 11 14 2015-16 * 21 5 5 10 2 Total 95 16 29 45 28
Kinesiology & Health Science Richmond Hill, Ont. Lasalle Vipers (GOJHL)
26
Education Richmond Hill, Ont. University of Toronto (U SPORTS)
71 • Assistant captain • Tied for seventh in team scoring last year with 13 points and had three game winners • A forward with fessional work ethic on and off the ice • Played in 115 games over three seasons in the QMJHL • In final junior season, finished second in team scoring with Yarmouth in the MHL
27 • Joins the line-up this season for his fifth and final year after redshirting last year • A veteran forward who can play all three forward positions • Appeared in 93 games over two seasons with Stouffville in the OJHL, amassing 73 points • As captain in 2011-12, collected 19 points in 23 playoff games to help the Spirit win the OJHL championship
* With the Toronto Varsity Blues
2017-18 HOCKEY
7
THE PLAYERS 20
SCOTT FESER
F • 5’10 • 185 • 2nd Year Commerce, Finance Red Deer, Alta Swift Current Broncos (WHL)
Year GP G A PTS PIM 2016-17 28 4 7 11 18 Total 28 4 7 11 18
• Played in all 37 regular-season and playoff games and tied for second in OUA playoff scoring with nine points • Scored two game-winning goals in the playoffs, including the series clincher against Lakehead, and was named York’s male athlete of the week as a result • 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
JACK GORANSON
4
• U SPORTS academic all-Canadian • 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 • Was the team captain D • 6’2 • 190 • 2nd Year of the Grizzlys last Communications / Political Science year Red Deer, Alta. Olds Grizzlys (AJHL)
Year GP G A PTS PIM 2016-17 7 0 0 0 2 Total 7 0 0 0 2
F • 6’1 • 185 • 2nd Year Geography & Urban Studies Barrie, Ont. Hamilton Red Wings (OJHL)
Year GP G A PTS PIM 2015-16 7 0 1 1 16 Total 7 0 1 1 16
8
• 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 D • 6’0 • 195 • 1st Year Toronto and Oakville, Liberal Arts & Professional Studies recording 68 points Mississauga, Ont. Oakville Blades (OJHL)
8
• Returns to the line-up after missing all of last season • Played in seven games as a rookie forward and recorded first career point in first career game against Queen’s • 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
35
ALEX FOTINOS
• Started nine games in rookie season, picking up five wins • 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
G • 6’0 • 176 • 2nd Year Political Science Toronto, Ont. Aurora Tigers (OJHL)
Year GP W-L-T GAA SV% 2016-17 9 5-3-0 2.39 .927 Total 9 5-3-0 2.39 .927
17
REID JACKMAN
F • 6’3 • 215 • 4th Year Kinesiology & Health Science Etobicoke, Ont. Brampton Bombers (GOJHL)
Year GP 2014-15 22 2015-16 28 2016-17 28 Total 78
JOSH LAFRANCE
23
SAL FILICE
G A 3 1 7 4 2 3 12 8
PTS 4 11 5 20
PIM 20 24 18 62
• Played in all 37 regular-season and playoff games last year • Scored six points in the playoffs, including the series-clinching goal against Windsor that qualified the team for the U SPORTS championships and was named York’s male athlete of the week • A big power forward with soft hands and a great shot • Has experience in the OHL, OJHL and BCHL
MORGAN MESSENGER
F • 5’10 • 185 • 1st Year Business & Society Cape Sable Island, N.S. Whitecourt Wolverines (AJHL)
15
• 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 • Was fifth in team scoring last year with 50 points in 51 games and helped Whitecourt advance to the AJHL championship final
STEVEN JANES
18
• Ranked fourth in team scoring in the regular season and in the playoffs • Earned player of the game honours in the Queen’s Cup after scoring the game-winning goal with 4:34 remaining • Played two years with St. Thomas in the AUS, scoring 11 points in 22 F • 6’4 • 213 • 3rd Year games as a rookie Law & Society • A big power forward who Etobicoke, Ont. plays a physical game St. Thomas University Tommies (CIS) • Spent five seasons in Year GP G A PTS PIM the OHL with Ottawa, 2014-15 * 22 6 5 11 33 Owen Sound and Winsor, recording 116 points in 2016-17 24 4 13 17 64 256 games Total 46 10 18 28 97 * With the St. Thomas Tommies
ALEX MOWBRAY
F • 5’11 • 192 • 1st Year Commerce Calgary, Alta. Spokane Chiefs (WHL)
12 • A quick and tenacious winger who is strong on the forecheck • 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 • Assistant captain with the Tigers in 2015-16
YORK LIONS
THE PLAYERS TREVOR PETERSEN
F • 6’2 • 205 • 4th Year History Thornhill, Ont. Newmarket Hurricanes (OJHL)
Year GP 2014-15 24 2015-16 27 2016-17 28 Total 79
G 5 17 11 33
A 9 12 20 41
PTS 14 29 31 74
PIM 16 6 8 30
• Assistant captain • Two-time OUA West all-star • Ranked 10th in OUA scoring with 31 points in 28 games and was seventh in assists (20) • A power forward with soft hands and an exceptional shot • Spent two seasons with Niagara in the OHL, appearing in 103 games and totalling 17 points
DEREK SHEPPARD
G • 6’1 • 215 • 4th Year History Ajax, Ont. Gatineau Olympiques (QMJHL)
Year GP 2014-15 27 2015-16 28 2016-17 28 Total 83
G 7 10 12 29
A 12 20 30 52
PTS 19 30 32 81
PIM 50 100 40 190
Kinesiology & Health Science Saskatoon, Sask. Cowichan Valley Capitals (BCHL)
24
• Assistant captain • OUA West MVP and two-time OUA West defenceman of the year and all-star • Ranked eighth in OUA scoring and first among all defencemen, and was first among all players in playoff scoring • Scored four game-winners, including three times in overtime • Has an outstanding shot and a great first pass • Played two seasons with Rempart in QMJHL, totaling 23 points and 212 penalty minutes in 82 games
5
BEN VERRALL
D • 6’3 • 200 • 1st Year
16
• A steadying influence who provides a physical presence and has a good first pass • 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
2017-18 HOCKEY
STEFANO PEZZETTA
F • 6’0 • 205 • 2nd Year Commerce, Finance North York, Ont. Pickering Panthers (OJHL)
7
• Appeared in eight games as a rookie forward and one in the playoffs • 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
30
MACK SHIELDS
G • 6’3 • 195 • 2nd Year Commerce, Accounting Saskatoon, Sask. Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL)
Year GP W-L-T GAA SV% 2016-17 20 13-7-0 1.78 .930 Total 20 13-7-0 1.78 .930
D • 6’3 • 215 • 5th Year Education Newmarket, Ont. Niagara IceDogs (OHL)
Year GP 2013-14 28 2014-15 27 2015-16 28 2016-17 28 Total 111
Year GP G A PTS PIM 2016-17 8 0 0 0 24 Total 8 0 0 0 24
• U SPORTS second-team all-Canadian and all-rookie team • OUA West rookie of the year, first-team all-star and all-rookie team • Led the OUA in goals against average and was second in save percentage • Named York’s player of the game in the U SPORTS quarter-final after making 31 saves in a 1-0 overtime loss • U SPORTS academic all-Canadian • Spent four seasons in the WHL with Calgary, Prince George and Medicine Hat
KEELAN WILLIAMS
1
• A big, mobile goalie who covers a lot of the net and brings a winning pedigree to the team • Spent the last two seasons in the BCHL with West Kelowna and Surrey … Won the 2015-16 league championship with G • 6’4 • 185 • 1st Year the Warriors while Liberal Arts & Professional Studies appearing in 20 reguCalgary, Alta. lar-season games and Surrey Eagles (BCHL) three in the playoffs • Began his junior career with Okotoks in the AJHL and also had a stint in the WHL with Kootenay
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SHAYNE ROVER
G 2 5 4 3 14
A 2 9 10 11 32
PTS 4 14 14 14 46
PIM 10 10 16 6 42
• Team captain • Has appeared in all but one game over his first four seasons and has recorded the same point total (14) in each of the last three years • U SPORTS academic all-Canadian • Played on the CIS Toronto Selects team that faced the Canadian U20 national team • A powerful, hard-hitting defensive specialist who blocks the puck and passes well • Appeared in 298 games over five seasons with Niagara in OHL
COLTON VANNUCCI
• Finished fifth in team scoring for the second straight year and was tied for fourth in the playoffs • Two-time U SPORTS academic all-Canadian • Played in 116 games over two seasons with Drumheller in AJHL • In final year was assistant captain and led the Dragons in scoring with 56 points
F • 5’9 • 165 • 4th Year Commerce, Finance High River, Alta. Drumheller Dragons (AJHL)
Year GP 2014-15 24 2015-16 26 2016-17 26 Total 76
G 5 5 4 14
A 6 12 11 29
PTS 11 17 15 43
NICK ZOTTL
10
PIM 10 26 10 46
21
• U SPORTS academic all-Canadian • 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 D • 6’5 • 230 • 2nd Year with Mississauga in Liberal Arts & Professional Studies the OJHL Sarnia, Ont. Mississauga Steelheads (OHL)
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ACADEMIC ALL-CANADIANS MEN’S HOCKEY TEAM EXCELS IN THE CLASSROOM The York Lions men’s hockey team did not just have a banner season on the ice last year as the squad’s team GPA was also impressive and there were many high achievers in the classroom. For the 2016-17 academic year, the Lions had 11 U SPORTS academic all-Canadians, the same total as the previous three years combined. The following players all finished the year with a GPA at 7.5 or higher. Dexter Bricker Scott Feser Nicholas Geiser Jack Goranson Connor Hale Greg Milner
Mihkel Poldma Shayne Rover Mack Shields Mitch Van Teeling Nick Zottl
HALL OF FAME GREG ROLSTON: 2017 HALL OF FAME INDUCTEE Former York Yeomen hockey player Greg Rolston was one of six new inductees into the York Sport Hall of Fame for 2017. He is the 11th men’s hockey representative to be enshrined since the Hall of Fame began in 1980.
Rolston, who was selected in the 10th round (184th overall) by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 1983 NHL Entry Draft, remains York’s all-time leading goal scorer with 92, and he is fifth all-time in scoring with 159 points.
Rolston, who graduated from York in 1989 with his degree in economics, was a prolific scorer during the most successful era of men’s hockey at York. He helped the squad reach the national tournament in each of his four seasons (1985-89), winning back-to-back CIAU titles in 1988 and 1989 to go along with three OUAA championships (1986-88) and a silver medal in his final season. He was a three-time OUAA first-team all-star, one of only a trio of players in program history to achieve the honour three times, and in 1987 he received the Jack Kennedy Trophy as the most outstanding player of the OUAA championship series. He also earned a place on the 1989 CIAU national championship all-tournament team.
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YORK LIONS
JOIN THE PRIDE York University’s student-athletes have been competing against rival institutions on the Canadian sports 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 sports 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 Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS). 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. The staff includes more than 100 dedicated full-time and part-time coaches.
ACADEMIC AND 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.
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.
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.
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.
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. 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 York University’s Athletic Therapy Certificate Program completing 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 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.
STRENGTH & CONDITIONING York University is one of only a handful of institutions in Canada that has two dedicated strength and conditioning coaches for its student-athletes. 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.
2017-18 HOCKEY
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LIONS GEAR
TICKETS
SUPPORT YOUR LIONS! For your Official York Lions merchandise, visit the Pride Shop, located in the lobby of the Tait McKenzie Centre. Check out our exciting and new 2017-18 selection.
YORK STUDENTS FREE With the presentation of a valid YU-card at the door for all regular-season home games. Adults $10.50 Alumni/York Staff $7.50 Seniors (over 55) $7.50 Non-York Students $7.50 Youth (under 13) Free Family Pass $40.00 Prices include taxes and $0.50 service fee. Group rates available for 10 or more paying guests. Email carusso@yorku.ca for details.
yorkulions.ca/tickets
GET FIT AT TAIT! Are you spending the time in the gym but not getting the results that you desire? Are you a beginner or getting back into fitness and don’t know where to start? Do you want to make the best use of your limited available workout time? Campus Recreation staff are all certified personal trainers.
Wear RED
at select games and you could win!
Live entertainment, themed nights, surprise giveaways, food trucks and much more await you at a York Lions event!