Ice Hockey Wiki
Register
Advertisement
Canisius Golden Griffins
men's ice hockey
Hockey current event Current season
Canisius Golden Griffins men's ice hockey athletic logo
University Canisius College
Conference AHA
Head coach Trevor Large
4th season, 44–58–13 (.439)
Captain Matt Hoover[1]
Arena LECOM Harborcenter
Capacity: 1,800
Surface: 200' x 85'
Location Buffalo, New York
Colors Blue and Gold[2]
         
NCAA Tournament appearances
2013
Conference Tournament championships
2013
Conference regular season championships
2017
Current uniform
AHA-Uniform-CC

The Canisius Golden Griffins men's ice hockey team is a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I college ice hockey program that represents Canisius College. The Golden Griffins are a member of Atlantic Hockey. They play at the LECOM Harborcenter in Buffalo, New York across the street from KeyBank Center, home of the Buffalo Sabres of the National Hockey League.[3] Canisius won an automatic bid to the 2013 NCAA Men's Ice Hockey Championship after winning the Atlantic Hockey title in the conference playoffs, but lost in the first round to top-ranked Quinnipiac.[4]

History[]

Early years[]

Canisius founded their hockey team, then known as the Ice Griffs, in the fall of 1971 as a club sport led by Dr. David Dietz.[5] Two years later they joined their first conference and by 1976 had claimed two conference titles. Dietz resigned after the 1976 championship and allowed Mike Kelly to take over. Kelly kept the team performing at a high level but finished runner up two years running before reclaiming the title in 1979. Canisius join a new conference the following year and after claiming the championship, their fourth in a six-year span, the program was elevated to varsity status.

With a new division to play in Canisius also received a new coach in Brian Cavanaugh. Their first two seasons in Division III went well for the Golden Griffins but when Cavanaugh took a year off in 1982 the program slumped to single-digit wins before rebounding after the coach's return. During Cavanaugh's tenure he kept the team mostly above .500 and aside from a dip in the early 1990s Canisius was a contender for the ECAC West crown most years.[6] Canisius was able to reach two ECAC West title game in the '90s but lost both contests by one goal.

Division I[]

When the MAAC announced it was forming an ice hockey division in 1997 only three member teams had extant programs, one of those was Canisius who became a founding member of the league that began play in 1998–99. The Golden Griffins played well in their first season, finishing with a winning record, but it was their play in the conference tournament, allowing them to reach the title match, that made Canisius stand out. Unfortunately that was the height of Canisius' time in the MAAC. Despite a 20-win season the following year the Griffs were bounced in the first round and won only one MAAC playoff game after their inaugural year in D-I.

When two of the MAAC's teams ended their ice hockey sponsorship in 2003 the conference was able to end its support for the hockey division. The remaining nine schools simply reformed into a new conference called Atlantic Hockey and continued on without much trouble. Canisius' trouble in the conference tournament continued throughout the decade and saw them win two out of their first ten games. During that streak, however, the Canisius program went through some upheaval. Long-time coach Brian Cavanaugh came under fire for his conduct through complaints from his players. In December of 2004 he was fired when players threatened to sit out a game and he was soon replaced by assistant Clancy Seymour.[7] The following season began with yet a third coach, Dave Smith and it took the new bench boss a few years to repair the program.

In 2009–10 Canisius posted its first winning season in nine years and reach the conference semifinal. After a couple of modest seasons the Golden Griffins shocked Atlantic Hockey by winning the 2013 Tournament as a 7th-seed and made its first appearance in the NCAA Tournament. The Golden Griffins played well but bowed out in their first game against top-seeded Quinnipiac. Over the next few years Smith pushed the program to better results, culminating in their first conference title in 2017. Smith was hired away by Rensselaer soon after[8] but the Golden Griffins continue to perform well under new coach Trevor Large.

Season-by-season results[6][]

All-time coaching records[]

As of the completion of 2018–19 season[9]

Tenure Coach Years Record Pct.
2017–Present Trevor Large 3 41–57–13 .428
2005–2017 Dave Smith 12 172–223–59 .444
2004–2005 Clancy Seymour 1† 9–8–3† .525
1982–1983 Carl Koeppel 1 9–16–1 .365
1980–1982, 1983–2004‡ Brian Cavanaugh 24‡ 342–306–56 .526
Totals 5 Coaches 40 Years 572–611–132 .485

† interim head coach
‡ fired mid-season

Awards and honors[10][]

NCAA[]

AHCA First Team All-Americans


MAAC[]

Individual Awards[]

MAAC Goaltender of the Year

  • Sean Weaver: 2000

All-Conference Teams[]

First Team All-MAAC

  • 1998–99: Derek Gilham, D
  • 1999–00: Sean Weaver, G

Second Team All-MAAC

  • 1998–99: David Deeves, F

MAAC All-Rookie Team

  • 1998–99:Joel Tarvudd, D; David Deeves, F
  • 2002–03: Tim Songin, D


Atlantic Hockey[]

Individual Awards[]

Player of the Year

Rookie of the Year

  • David Kostuch, LW: 2009

Coach of the Year

Best Defensive Forward

  • David Kasch: 2008
  • Ryan Schmelzer: 2017

Best Defenseman

  • Cameron Heath: 2017

Regular Season Scoring Trophy

Regular Season Goaltending Award

Most Valuable Player in Tournament

  • Dylan McLaughlin, F: 2019

Most Valuable Player in Tournament

  • Kyle Gibbons, F: 2013

All-Conference Teams[]

First Team All-Atlantic Hockey

  • 2004–05: Bryan Worosz, G
  • 2009–10: Cory Conacher, F
  • 2014–15: Chris Rumble, D
  • 2015–16: Shane Conacher, F
  • 2016–17: Charles Williams, F
  • 2017–18: Cameron Heath, F; Dylan McLaughlin, F
  • 2018–19: Dylan McLaughlin, F

Second Team All-Atlantic Hockey

  • 2009–10: Carl Hudson, D
  • 2010–11: Cory Conacher, F
  • 2014–15: Keegan Asmundson, G; Ralph Cuddemi, F
  • 2015–16: Ralph Cuddemi, F
  • 2016–17: Cameron Heath, D; Ryan Schmelzer, F
  • 2017–18: Lester Lancaster, D

Third Team All-Atlantic Hockey

  • 2008–09: Carl Hudson, D; Jason Weeks, F
  • 2009–10: Vincent Scarcella, F
  • 2012–13: Kyle Gibbons, F
  • 2015–16: Ben Danforth, D
  • 2016–17: Dylan McLaughlin, F
  • 2017–18: Ryan Schmelzer, F

Atlantic Hockey All-Rookie Team

  • 2005–06: Dan Giffin, G
  • 2006–07: Josh Heidinger, F
  • 2007–08: Vincent Scarsella, F
  • 2008–09: David Kostuch, F
  • 2016–17: Nick Hutchinson, F
  • 2017–18: Grant Meyer, F

Canisius Hall of Fame[]

The following is a list of Canisius' men's ice hockey players who were elected into the Canisius College Hall of Fame (induction year in parenthesis).[10]

  • Derrick Bishop (2013)
  • Andre Bourgeault (2006)
  • Dr. David Dietz (2001)
  • Joe Federico (2005)
  • Josh Oort (2010)
  • Gary Roessler (1998)
  • Mike Sisti (2002)
  • Kevin Sykes (1999)
  • Mike Torrillo (1999)
  • Brian Worosz (2016)

Statistical leaders[11][]

Career points leaders[]

Player Years GP G A Pts PIM
Mike Torillo 1984–1988 117 121 144 265 N/A
Kevin Sykes 1984–1988 104 114 120 234 N/A
Josh Oort 1994–1998 103 67 105 172 49
Mike Sisti 1986–1990 120 74 89 163 156
Gary Roessler 1980–1984 90 68 84 152 N/A
Andre Bourgeault 1992–1996 107 55 93 148 127
Cory Conacher 2007–2011 129 62 85 147 156
Dylan McLaughlin 2015–2019 151 58 89 147 28
Dave Yablecki 1987–1991 115 59 86 145 21
Derrick Bishop 1991–1995 103 46 98 144 114

Career goaltending leaders[]

GP = Games played; Min = Minutes played; GA = Goals against; SO = Shutouts; SV% = Save percentage; GAA = Goals against average

Minimum 2000 minutes

Player Years GP Min GA SO SV% GAA
Charles Williams 2016–2017 2009 61 6 .943 1.82
Keegan Asmundson 2012–2015 2422 84 .930 2.08
Tony Capobianco 2010–2014 5858 265 8 .920 2.71
Daniel Urbani 2017–Present 2214 101 .919 2.74
Bryan Worosz 2001–2005 6373 300 6 2.82

Statistics current through the start of the 2018-19 season.

Current roster[]

As of September 17, 2020.[12]

# S/P/C Player Class Pos Height Weight DoB Hometown Previous team NHL rights
4 Flag of Michigan Gestro, LoganLogan Gestro Senior D 6' 3" (1.91 m) 205 lb (93 kg) 1996-02-09 South Lyon, Michigan Corpus Christi (NAHL)
5 Flag of Pennsylvania Melaragni, DavidDavid Melaragni Sophomore D 6' 0" (1.83 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 1998-03-30 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Cowichan Valley (BCHL)
8 Flag of British Columbia Mastrodonato, KeatonKeaton Mastrodonato Sophomore F 6' 0" (1.83 m) 205 lb (93 kg) 2000-09-24 Powell River, British Columbia Alberni Valley (BCHL)
9 Flag of Quebec Pogue, J. D.J. D. Pogue Junior F 6' 1" (1.85 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 1997-06-23 Montreal, Quebec Cornwall (NAHL)
10 Flag of Pennsylvania Parody, NickNick Parody Sophomore D 6' 3" (1.91 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 1998-01-02 Harrisburg, Pennsylvania Islanders (NCDC)
14 Flag of Minnesota Stampohar, JohnJohn Stampohar Sophomore D 6' 2" (1.88 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 1998-09-24 Grand Rapids, Minnesota Fairbanks (NAHL)
15 Flag of Ohio Meyer, GrantGrant Meyer (C) Senior F 5' 8" (1.73 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 1996-03-21 Genoa, Ohio Fargo (USHL)
20 Flag of New York Baskerville, DavidDavid Baskerville Junior F 6' 0" (1.83 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 1997-04-01 Buffalo, New York Corpus Christi (NAHL)
23 Flag of California Haar, CooperCooper Haar Freshman F 6' 3" (1.91 m) 205 lb (93 kg) 1999-04-26 Huntington Beach, California Aberdeen (NAHL)
24 Flag of Illinois Decker, JacksonJackson Decker Freshman D 5' 11" (1.8 m) 170 lb (77 kg) 1999-03-19 Algonquin, Illinois Chippewa (NAHL)
25 Flag of Illinois Long, MattMatt Long Senior F 6' 0" (1.83 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 1997-08-06 Orland Park, Illinois Springfield (NAHL)
27 Flag of Ontario Miotto, RyanRyan Miotto Sophomore F 6' 0" (1.83 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 1999-07-11 Thorold, Ontario Alberni Valley (BCHL)
28 Flag of Ontario Lapid, LeeLee Lapid Junior F 6' 0" (1.83 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 1998-01-11 Thornhill, Ontario Toronto Patriots (OJHL)
30 Flag of Missouri Barczewski, JacobJacob Barczewski Sophomore G 6' 1" (1.85 m) 175 lb (79 kg) 1999-01-07 O'Fallon, Missouri Tri-City (USHL)
32 Flag of New York Weppner, TuckerTucker Weppner Senior G 6' 2" (1.88 m) 200 lb (91 kg) 1996-06-09 Williamsville, New York Buffalo (OJHL)
33 Flag of New York Ladd, MattMatt Ladd Junior G 6' 3" (1.91 m) 200 lb (91 kg) 1998-07-11 Getzville, New York New Jersey (NAHL)
37 Flag of New Jersey Obssuth, KevinKevin Obssuth Junior F 6' 1" (1.85 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 1997-07-09 Morristown, New Jersey Powell River (BCHL)
40 Flag of Sweden Puikkonen, NiclasNiclas Puikkonen Freshman F 6' 1" (1.85 m) 198 lb (90 kg) 1999-01-23 Stockholm, Sweden Amarillo (AJHL)
44 Flag of Wisconsin Zilisch, ConnorConnor Zilisch Freshman F 6' 1" (1.85 m) 212 lb (96 kg) 1999-08-07 Appleton, Wisconsin Topeka (NAHL)
52 Flag of Illinois Wareham, BlakeBlake Wareham Senior D 6' 0" (1.83 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 1997-03-05 Park Ridge, Illinois Janesville (NAHL)
53 Flag of Minnesota Erne, LincolnLincoln Erne Sophomore D 6' 0" (1.83 m) 200 lb (91 kg) 1998-09-26 Blaine, Minnesota Minot (NAHL)
58 Flag of Quebec Hamelin, DerekDerek Hamelin Junior D 5' 11" (1.8 m) 170 lb (77 kg) 1997-01-21 Mercier, Quebec Langley (BCHL)
71 Flag of Alberta Sinclair, MacGregorMacGregor Sinclair Sophomore F 6' 0" (1.83 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 1998-08-28 Irma, Alberta Battlefords (SJHL)
72 Flag of New Jersey Kouznetsov, MaxMax Kouznetsov Freshman F 5' 11" (1.8 m) 175 lb (79 kg) 2000-12-06 Voorhees, New Jersey Johnstown (NAHL)
77 Flag of Ontario Lyons, JackJack Lyons Freshman D 6' 1" (1.85 m) 205 lb (93 kg) 1999-07-04 Mississauga, Ontario Oakville (OJHL)
81 Flag of Ontario Martan, MitchellMitchell Martan Junior F 5' 8" (1.73 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 1998-06-30 Whitby, Ontario Wellington (OJHL)
83 Flag of Michigan Alger, AustinAustin Alger Senior F 6' 0" (1.83 m) 170 lb (77 kg) 1997-09-23 Livonia, Michigan Miami (NCHC)
89 Flag of Quebec Gravel, SimonSimon Gravel Sophomore F 5' 10" (1.78 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 1999-04-10 Boucherville, Quebec Brooks (AJHL)
91 Flag of Finland Virtanen, JamiJami Virtanen Freshman F 6' 0" (1.83 m) 192 lb (87 kg) 2000-08-07 Pori, Finland Ässät U20 (Nuorten SM-liiga)
94 Flag of Ontario Lambert, HudsonHudson Lambert Sophomore D 6' 0" (1.83 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 1998-08-17 Richmond Hill, Ontario Brampton (OJHL)

Notable former players[]

Notable alumni include:

See also[]

Canisius Golden Griffins Canisius Golden Griffins

References[]

http://blackhawks.nhl.com/club/page.htm?id=83001

External links[]

This page uses content from Wikipedia. The original article was at Canisius Golden Griffins men's ice hockey. The list of authors can be seen in the page history. As with Ice Hockey Wiki, the text of Wikipedia is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike License 3.0 (Unported) (CC-BY-SA).


Advertisement