The Gryphon men's hockey team opens their 2011-12 regular season this weekend at the Gryphon Centre with a pair of 7:30 p.m. games. Guelph will host the Ottawa Gee-Gees Friday and the UQTR Patriotes Saturday.
Both games will be webcast LIVE on
www.ssncanada.ca
The Gryphons start the season with a lot to prove after last year's successful campaign, and will surely have high aspirations heading into the season.
Last year the Gryphon's finished the season fourth in the OUA west, posting a 15-10-3 record. With 16 returning veterans, to complement one of their largest rookie classes in recent history, Guelph is poised to build on last year's success.
Gone from the Gryphon's squad is all-star defenceman Tim Priamo, who after graduating is currently attending the Chicago Wolves (AHL) training camp. Thomas Kiriakou, a former OUA rookie of the year, has also left the team, signing with the Las Vegas Wranglers (ECHL). Despite the loss of two of their star players, the Gryphon's have a number of players ready to step up in an expanded role this season.
Even with the loss of some key players, the Gryphon's have solid depth and are one of the most complete teams in the league. Expect fifth-year player Kris Belan, this year's team captain, to continue his dominance in the OUA. Belan has lead the Gryphon's in goal scoring for the past three seasons, and should look to add to those numbers as the unquestioned leader of the Gryphon's attack.
Complementing Belan in the Gryphon's first line will be forward Edward Gale, a talented third year player who is poised for a breakout season. Last year he put up 48 points in 43 games, and became one of Guelph's leaders during a deep playoff run. His ability to play multiple positions can only help this young Gryphon's squad. Second year defenseman Ken Peroff will be looking to anchor the Gyrphon defensive core after a successful campaign last year in which he earned OUA all-rookie honours.
The Gryphon's have a number of new recruits looking to make their mark this year. Jamie MacIntyre, formerly of the P.E.I. Rockets of the QMJHL, is expected to make an immediate impact this year for the Gryphon's potent scoring attack. Marco Franchini, coming from the Owen Sound Attack, is also expected to garner some attention in his first year as a Gryphon.
Guelph has the luxury of sporting three talented net minders in second year players Cody St Jacques, Andrew Loverock and Scott Van Bommel. St Jacques opened last year's campaign as the Gryphon's #1 goalie, posting a 6-2 record in his nine starts before returning to the OHL league with the Brampton Battalion. Loverock took over the starting job, posting an 8-4 record to go with an impressive .904 save percentage, earning him OUA all-rookie honours. With both players returning to the Gryphon's squad, expect Guelph to be one of the toughest teams to score on this upcoming season.
View the Gryphons full 2011-12 schedule here:
http://gryphons.ca/schedule.aspx?path=mhockey
