Canisius Golden Griffins men's ice hockey

Last updated
Canisius Golden Griffins men's ice hockey
Hockey current event.svg Current season
Canisius Athletics wordmark.png
University Canisius College
Conference AHA
Head coach Trevor Large
8th season, 100–119–23 (.461)
Assistant coaches
Arena LECOM Harborcenter
Buffalo, New York
ColorsBlue and gold [1]
   
NCAA Tournament appearances
2013, 2023
Conference Tournament championships
2013, 2023
Conference regular season championships
2017
Current uniform
AHA-Uniform-CC.png

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. [2] Canisius has won an automatic bid to the NCAA Men's Ice Hockey Tournament twice, after winning the Atlantic Hockey title in the conference playoffs in both 2013 and 2023, but lost in the first round to the top-ranked team each time. [3]

Contents

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. [4] 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. [5] 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 2004 he was fired when players threatened to sit out a game and he was soon replaced by assistant Clancy Seymour. [6] 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 [7] but the Golden Griffins continue to perform well under new coach Trevor Large.

Canisius faces off against Air Force during a game in 2021 USAFA Hockey vs Canisius College (6530092).jpg
Canisius faces off against Air Force during a game in 2021

The Golden Griffins finished fourth in the 2022–23 Atlantic Hockey division standings. [8] Canisius defeated fifth seeded Army in three games [9] to advance to the conference tournament semifinals, where they defeated sixth seeded Niagara in three games and advanced to their second straight conference championship game, their first as hosts. [10] The Golden Griffins went on to defeat seventh seeded Holy Cross by a score of 3–0 to clinch the program's second appearance in the NCAA tournament. [11] Canisius faced the No. 1 seeded Minnesota Golden Gophers in the opening round of the tournament. Canisius maintained a 2–1 lead early in the second period thanks to goals by forwards Daniel DiGrande and Nick Bowman, before allowing two goals to make the score 3–2 heading into the third period. The Golden Griffins would end up losing to the Golden Gophers by a score of 9–2, finishing the season with a 20–19–3 record. [12]

Season-by-season results

Source: [5]

All-time coaching records

As of the completion of 2023–24 season [13]

TenureCoachYearsRecordPct.
2017–Present Trevor Large 7100–119–23.461
2005–2017 Dave Smith 12172–223–59.444
2004–2005 Clancy Seymour 1†9–8–3†.525
1982–1983 Carl Koeppel 19–16–1.365
1980–1982, 1983–2004‡ Brian Cavanaugh 24‡342–306–56.526
Totals5 Coaches44 Years631–673–142.485

† interim head coach
‡ fired mid-season

Awards and honors

Source: [14]

NCAA

AHCA First Team All-Americans

MAAC

Individual awards

MAAC Goaltender of the Year

All-Conference teams

First Team All-MAAC

Second Team All-MAAC

MAAC All-Rookie Team

Atlantic Hockey

Individual awards

All-Conference teams

First Team All-Atlantic Hockey

Second Team All-Atlantic Hockey

Third Team All-Atlantic Hockey

Atlantic Hockey All-Rookie Team

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 parentheses). [14]

Statistical leaders

Source: [15]

Career points leaders

PlayerYearsGPGAPtsPIM
Mike Torillo 1984–1988117121144265N/A
Kevin Sykes 1984–1988104114120234N/A
Josh Oort 1994–19981036710517249
Mike Sisti 1986–19901207489163156
Gary Roessler 1980–1984906884152N/A
Andre Bourgeault 1992–19961075593148127
Cory Conacher 2007–20111296285147156
Dylan McLaughlin 2015–2019151588914728
Dave Yablecki 1987–1991115598614521
Derrick Bishop 1991–19951034698144114

Career goaltending leaders

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

Minimum 2000 minutes

PlayerYearsGPMinWLTGASOSV%GAA
Charles Williams 2016–20173420092175616.9431.82
Keegan Asmundson 2012–201545242218156843.9302.08
Jacob Barczewski 2019–20231005642444282456.9172.61
Tony Capobianco 2010–201410158583947102658.9202.72
Daniel Urbani 2016–2020422433172231151.9152.84

Statistics current through the end of the 2022-23 season.

Current roster

As of September 14, 2023. [16]

No. S/P/CPlayerClassPosHeightWeightDoBHometownPrevious teamNHL rights
4 Flag of Minnesota.svg Keegan LangefelsJunior D 6' 0" (1.83 m)185 lb (84 kg)2001-02-02 Eden Prairie, Minnesota New Mexico  ( NAHL )—
5 Flag of Alberta.svg Robert KincaidSophomore D 6' 2" (1.88 m)185 lb (84 kg)2002-05-13 Barrhead, Alberta Maine  ( HEA )—
8 Flag of Ontario.svg Matteo GiampaFreshman F 6' 1" (1.85 m)190 lb (86 kg)2003-09-03 Virgil, Ontario Bonnyville  ( AJHL )—
9 Flag of Vermont.svg Kyle HaskinsSenior F 6' 0" (1.83 m)185 lb (84 kg)2000-02-16 Huntington, Vermont Michigan State  ( Big Ten )—
12 Flag of Ohio.svg Luke FarthingSenior D 5' 10" (1.78 m)180 lb (82 kg)1999-04-21 Stoutsville, Ohio Ferris State  ( CCHA )—
13 Flag of New York.svg Griffin LoughranSenior (RS) F 5' 6" (1.68 m)141 lb (64 kg)1998-11-13 West Seneca, New York Michigan State  ( Big Ten )—
14 Flag of Alberta.svg Trey FunkFreshman F 6' 2" (1.88 m)180 lb (82 kg)2002-04-11 Redwood Meadows, Alberta Bonnyville  ( AJHL )—
15 Flag of Ontario.svg Matt VermaetenJunior F 5' 10" (1.78 m)165 lb (75 kg)2001-01-04 Ottawa, Ontario Shreveport  ( NAHL )—
20 Flag of Florida.svg Randy HernándezSenior F 6' 0" (1.83 m)190 lb (86 kg)1999-01-12 Miami, Florida Robert Morris  ( AHA )—
23 Flag of California.svg Cooper HaarSenior F 6' 3" (1.91 m)205 lb (93 kg)1999-04-26 Huntington Beach, California Aberdeen  ( NAHL )—
24 Flag of Illinois.svg Jackson DeckerSenior D 5' 11" (1.8 m)170 lb (77 kg)1999-03-19 Algonquin, Illinois Chippewa  ( NAHL )—
25 Flag of Texas.svg Jackson NieuwendykFreshman F 6' 1" (1.85 m)185 lb (84 kg)2002-09-04 Dallas, Texas Penticton  ( BCHL )—
26 Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg Stefano BottiniSophomore F 6' 0" (1.83 m)180 lb (82 kg)2002-05-03 Lugano, Switzerland Penticton  ( BCHL )—
27 Flag of British Columbia.svg Powell ConnorSenior D 6' 2" (1.88 m)190 lb (86 kg)2000-05-04 Chilliwack, British Columbia Michigan State  ( Big Ten )—
30 Flag of Ontario.svg Ethan RobertsonFreshman G 6' 1" (1.85 m)175 lb (79 kg)2002-02-22 Courtice, Ontario Austin  ( NAHL )—
32 Flag of Ohio.svg Alex HoustonJunior G 6' 2" (1.88 m)190 lb (86 kg)2002-03-21 Canton, Ohio Cornwall  ( CCHL )—
37 Flag of Manitoba.svg Hunter AndrewSophomore F 6' 0" (1.83 m)165 lb (75 kg)2002-10-25 Virden, Manitoba Powell River  ( BCHL )—
41 Flag of Colorado.svg David FessendenGraduate G 6' 6" (1.98 m)250 lb (113 kg)1998-04-30 Parker, Colorado New Hampshire  ( HEA )—
47 Flag of Massachusetts.svg Grant PorterSophomore F 5' 11" (1.8 m)180 lb (82 kg)2002-02-21 Weston, Massachusetts Providence  ( HEA )—
53 Flag of Ontario.svg Jack BuddFreshman D 6' 2" (1.88 m)190 lb (86 kg)2003-08-29 Toronto, Ontario Bonnyville  ( AJHL )—
55 Flag of Ontario.svg Christian MacDougallSophomore F 6' 0" (1.83 m)180 lb (82 kg)2001-03-13 Toronto, Ontario Coquitlam  ( BCHL )—
57 Flag of Michigan.svg Brenden DatemaGraduate D 6' 5" (1.96 m)220 lb (100 kg)1999-03-18 Sterling Heights, Michigan Michigan Tech  ( CCHA )—
59 Flag of Pennsylvania.svg David MelaragniGraduate D 6' 0" (1.83 m)195 lb (88 kg)1998-03-30 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Cowichan Valley  ( BCHL )—
61 Flag of New York.svg Erik UrbankGraduate F 6' 2" (1.88 m)195 lb (88 kg)1999-03-28 Orchard Park, New York Dartmouth  ( ECAC )—
72 Flag of New Jersey.svg Max KouznetsovSenior F 5' 11" (1.8 m)175 lb (79 kg)2000-12-06 Voorhees, New Jersey Johnstown  ( NAHL )—
73 Flag of British Columbia.svg Cody SchiavonSenior D 6' 0" (1.83 m)200 lb (91 kg)2000-07-01 West Kelowna, British Columbia Vermont  ( HEA )—
77 Flag of Ontario.svg Jack LyonsSenior D 6' 1" (1.85 m)205 lb (93 kg)1999-07-04 Mississauga, Ontario Oakville  ( OJHL )—
88 Flag of Minnesota.svg Killian Kiecker-OlsonSophomore F 6' 1" (1.85 m)195 lb (88 kg)2001-01-19 Andover, Minnesota Maine  ( HEA )—
91 Flag of Ontario.svg Alton McDermottJunior F 5' 10" (1.78 m)175 lb (79 kg)2001-06-04 Oakville, Ontario Oakville  ( OJHL )—
92 Flag of Ontario.svg Oliver TarrSophomore F 6' 0" (1.83 m)185 lb (84 kg)2002-01-20 Uxbridge, Ontario Haliburton County  ( OJHL )—
94 Flag of Ontario.svg Hudson LambertGraduate D 6' 0" (1.83 m)190 lb (86 kg)1998-08-17 Richmond Hill, Ontario Brampton  ( OJHL )—

Notable former players

Notable alumni include:

Golden Griffins in the NHL

As of July 1, 2023.

PlayerPositionTeam(s)YearsGames Stanley Cups
Cory Conacher Center TBL, OTT, BUF, NYI 2012–20201930

[17]

See also

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References

  1. ↑ "Canisius College Style Guide 2014" . Retrieved April 13, 2016.
  2. ↑ "Canisius Golden Griffins Men's Hockey". U.S. College Hockey Online. Retrieved April 10, 2011.
  3. ↑ "Quinnipiac rallies, knocks off Canisius in semis". 30 March 2013.
  4. ↑ "Canisius Men's Hockey 2010-11 Media Guide". Canisius Golden Griffins. Retrieved September 10, 2018.
  5. 1 2 "Canisius Men's Hockey Team History". USCHO.com. Retrieved September 10, 2018.
  6. ↑ "Cavanaugh Out at Canisius". USCHO.com. 2004-12-10. Retrieved 2014-08-14.
  7. ↑ "Rensselaer Unveils Canisius Smith As Head Coach". USCHO.com. 2017-04-06. Retrieved 2018-09-11.
  8. ↑ "2022-23 Ice Hockey Schedule".
  9. ↑ "Hockey Blanks Army in Game Three to Advance to AHA Semis".
  10. ↑ "Third-Period Surge Sends Hockey to AHA Championship Game".
  11. ↑ "Hockey Wins 2023 Atlantic Hockey Championship".
  12. ↑ "Hockey Falls to No. 1 Minnesota in NCAA Regional Semifinals".
  13. ↑ "Canisius Men's Hockey Team History" . Retrieved 2018-09-10.
  14. 1 2 "Canisius Golden Griffins Awards" (PDF). Canisius Golden Griffins. Retrieved 2018-09-13.
  15. ↑ "All-Time Top 10 Records (Career)". Brown Bears. Retrieved September 10, 2018.
  16. ↑ "2023–24 Hockey Roster". Canisius Golden Griffins. Retrieved September 14, 2023.
  17. ↑ "Alumni report for Canisius College". Hockey DB. Retrieved March 20, 2019.
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