GUELPH, Ont. - A season ago, the Guelph Gryphons men's hockey team set a school record with 21 wins during the regular season while climbing as high as No. 6 in the national rankings. To reach even greater heights in 2018-19, the Gryphons will look to a strong core of returning players, complimented by an exciting crop of incoming rookies.
On Wednesday (Sept. 19), the Gryphons men's hockey team officially announced their 2018-19 recruiting class, with a total of eight new faces set to join the program.
"This is an extremely deep recruiting class for us," says
Shawn Camp, who is heading into his 12th season as head coach of the men's hockey program at the University of Guelph.
There is plenty of reason for excitement for Gryphon hockey fans when it comes to the team's latest recruiting class. Six of the eight incoming players arrive at U of G with prior experience at the CHL level. The group also consists of one former NHL draft pick (goalie Evan Cormier), one former team captain at the IIHF World Jrs. (forward Mikkel Aagaard - Team Denmark in 2014-15) and one Memorial Cup winner (defenceman Stephen Templeton with the Oshawa Generals in 2014-15).
Details on all eight incoming Gryphon rookies can be found below.
The Gryphons begin their preseason schedule Wednesday night (Sept. 19) in Port Dover, and will play a total of six exhibition games before dropping the puck on the OUA regular season on Thursday, October 11 versus Ryerson.
Name: Mikkel Aagaard
Height: 6-0
Weight: 185
Position: Centre
Jersey Number: 9
Hometown: Frederikshavn, Denmark
Program: Arts
Previous teams:
2017-18: Springfield Thunderbirds (AHL), Manchester Monarchs (ECHL)
2016-17: Stockton Heat (AHL), Adirondack Thunder (ECHL), Team Denmark (IIHF World Championships)
Quote from head coach Shawn Camp:
"Mikkel has an elite skill set which has allowed him to excel at both the professional and international levels. He's a gifted offensive player, but also possesses great leadership qualities, which granted him the opportunity to be the captain of Team Denmark at the World Jrs. In 2014-15."
Name: Ted Nichol
Height: 5-11
Weight: 205
Position: Centre
Jersey: 26
Hometown: Listowel, ON
Program: Arts
Previous teams:
2017-18: Kingston Frontenacs (OHL)
2016-17: Kingston Frontenacs (OHL)
Quote from head coach Shawn Camp:
"Teddy follows in the footsteps of his older brother, Mac, who was part of our 2014-15 OUA championship team. Ted provides great leadership, a strong work ethic and is a strong two-way player who can make an impact at all 200-feet of the ice."
Name: Connor Bramwell
6-0
Weight: 190
Position: Left Wing
Jersey: 20
Hometown: Hamilton, ON
Program: Economics
Previous teams:
2017-18: Drummondville Voltigeurs (QMJHL)
2016-17: Blainville-Boisbriand Armada (QMJHL)
Quote from head coach Shawn Camp:
"Connor is an aggressive player who is very dangerous around the net."
Name: Jesse Saban
Height: 6-2
Weight: 210
Position: Defence
Jersey: 5
Hometown: Lindsay, ON
Program: General Studies
Previous teams:
2017-18: North Bay Battallion (OHL)
2016-17: Hamilton Bulldogs (OHL)
Quote from head coach Shawn Camp:
"Jesse is an excellent defenceman who has a great first pass. He will be a big, tough presence on our blueline and will add size and strength to our 'D' core."
Name: Evan Cormier
Height: 6-3
Weight: 210
Position: Goalie
Jersey: 35
Hometown: Bowmanville, ON
Program: General Studies
Previous teams:
2017-18: Saginaw Spirt (OHL)
2016-17: Saginaw Spirit (OHL)
Quote from head coach Shawn Camp:
"Evan established himself as an elite goaltender during his OHL career with Saginaw, putting himself in position to be drafted by the New Jersey Devils in the 4th round of the 2016 NHL Entry Draft. Evan is a workhorse who has the ability to carry his team when he's at his best."
Name: Stephen Templeton
6-2
Weight: 190
Position: Defence
Jersey: 21
Hometown: Waterdown, ON
Program: General Studies
Previous teams:
2017-18: Chicoutimi Sagueneens (QMJHL)
2016-17: Hamilton Bulldogs (OHL)
Quote from head coach Shawn Camp:
"Having been a part of a Memorial Cup-winning team in 2014-15 (Oshawa Generals) we know that Stephen has the intangibles needed to fit in nicely with the culture we've established here at Guelph . His skill set will be a welcomed addition to our veteran 'D' core."
Name: Braydon Munn
6-0
Weight: 185
Position: Defence
Jersey: 44
Hometown: Mississauga, ON
Program: Economics
Previous teams:
2017-18: Elmira Sugar Kings (GOJHL)
2016-17: Milton Icehawks (OJHL)
Quote from head coach Shawn Camp:
"Braydon is a mobile defenceman and a smart puck-mover."
Name: Spencer Herbst
Height: 6-1
Weight: 195
Position: Defence
Jersey: 22
Hometown: Toronto, ON
Program: Commerce
Previous teams:
2017-18: Brantford Blast (Allen Cup Hockey League)
2016-17: Queen's Gaels (U SPORTS)
Quote from head coach Shawn Camp:
"Spencer is a hard-nosed defenceman who excels both on the ice and in the classroom."
