GUELPH, Ont. - Throughout their time with the University of Guelph men's hockey program, both Todd Winder and Ryan Valentini established themselves as two of the most gifted offensive players in OUA men's hockey. Now, the pair of talented forwards will head overseas after becoming the latest Gryphon products to sign pro contracts in Europe.

Todd Winder, a management economics and finance major from Uxbridge, Ontario, is off to Sweden to join Vimmerby HC of the HockeyEttan division (Sweden's third tier), while Ryan Valentini, a psychology major from Mississauga, is off to Italy to join the WSV Sterzing Broncos of the Alps Hockey League (pro European league comprised of 18 teams from Italy, Austria and Slovenia). Winder and Valentini become the fourth members of the Guelph Gryphons 2019-20 OUA championship-winning team to now turn pro, following teammates Marc Stevens and Zach McFadden. 
 

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TODD WINDER

Todd Winder enjoyed three standout seasons as a Guelph Gryphon, including a stellar 2019-20 campaign that saw him post 16 goals and 23 assists for 39 points during the regular season en route to earning OUA First Team All-Star honours.

Winder, who was named an assistant captain of the Gryphons for the 2019-20 season, was among the conference leaders, finishing tied for 3rd in the OUA in points with his teammate Ryan Valentini, 4th in goals, and tied for 5th in assists.

In his third year with the Gryphons, Winder adds the All-Star selection to his two previous conference honours already received from the OUA. Following the 2017-18 campaign, Winder's first year, he was named the OUA West Rookie of the Year, while also being named to the OUA West All-Rookie Team. Playing in all 28 regular season games, the 5'10 forward also registered three game winning goals for the Gryphs during the 2019-20 season, while helping lead the team to the seventh OUA title in program history. 

"Todd Winder has been an excellent Gryphon from day one," says Gryphons head coach Shawn Camp. "He has been a consistent scorer, an excellent teammate and a solid student. He will have an excellent pro career." 
 

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RYAN VALENTINI

Ryan Valentini's 2019-20 season was a memorable one, with the psychology major capping his Gryphon career by assisting on the triple overtime, game-winning goal in the 109th Queen's Cup.

Valentini spent a total of two season as a Gryphon, joining the U of G men's hockey team midway through the 2018-19 campaign. Prior to arriving at the University of Guelph, Valentini split four seasons of OHL hockey between the London Knights and Sudbury Wolves.

The Mississauga native transitioned to the OUA seamlessly, earning OUA Second Team All-Star honours in 2019-20 after an impressive regular season showing that saw him rack up 39 points (15 goals, 24 assists) in 28 games played. Winder and Valentin were tied for 3rd in the OUA in scoring, and were tied for 8th nationally among the leading point-getters in all of U SPORTS men's hockey.

"Ryan has become one of the most skilled players at our level," says head coach Shawn Camp. "His poise with the puck and creative vision made him an offensive threat every time he stepped on the ice."
 

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