October 5, 2007 - HAMILTON, Ont. As another Ontario University Athletics (OUA) mens hockey season gets set to take to the ice tonight, the east conference will see some new faces this season. Were Back! Are the words you hear when you go through the Carleton University Ice House! After a 33 year absence from the OUA and CIS, the Carleton University Ravens mens varsity ice hockey team will make its return to varsity status in 2007-2008.
Carleton will join the far east division, with the defending Queens Cup champion UQTR Patriotes, as well as Concordia, McGill and Ottawa.
The east also sees the face of a new bench boss for the RMC Paladins in Adam Shell. A native of the Toronto area, Shell has served as assistant coach with McGill University the past two seasons. Shell also played four years of university hockey at McGill from 1999-2003.
FAR EAST DIVISION
CARLETON RAVENS
2006: Did not participate in OUA mens hockey
2007: Open on the road versus the Ottawa Gee-Gees, October 5 @ 7:00 pm
Led by Head Coach Fred Parker, a former Atlantic University Sport All-Star at St. Francis Xavier University and former Assistant Coach of the Kitchener Rangers (OHL) when he accepted Jennifer Brennings offer to start the Ravens program, Carleton will be built around former members of the Ontario Hockey League and transfers from CIS and NCAA schools.
The Ravens are led by Andrew Gibbons, a first year Centre from Oshawa, Ontario who played for the Belleville Bulls (OHL), and Andrew Self, a first year arts major from Peterborough, Ontario who spent time with the Sudbury Wolves (OHL). Coach Parker is looking to both Gibbons and Self for leadership as the Ravens make their way through the 34-game OUA schedule for the first time.
Carleton is also sound in nets with Doug Jewer, a History Major from St. Johns, Newfoundland and Jordan Wakefield, a graduate student from Spruce Grove, Alberta. These veteran net minders give Carleton a solid defense which will boast former Ottawa 67 standout and one of the most popular 67s over the past decade, Brodie Beard, an arts major from South Porcupine, Ontario.
The Ravens were built to compete right from the opening whistle. The goal is to qualify for the OUA post season and give the fans of Ottawa another quality ice hockey program to cheer for during the winter months!
CONCORDIA STINGERS
2006: 4th in far east division (8-16-3-1)
2007: Open at home versus the Brock Badgers, October 5 @ 7:30 pm
When the Concordia Stingers skate out onto the ice for the OUA mens hockey season-opener this Friday versus the Brock Badgers, head coach Kevin Figsby expects to see a more experienced and steady squad in action.
I expect to be strong on the attack, explains Figsby. Were improved on the defensive end and solid in nets. I expect consistent performances from the returning players and major contributions from the rookies.
With 20 returning players in the lineup the coach has reason to be optimistic. The only major loss from last season is defenceman Trevor Hawkins, the team captain who graduated and went to play professional in Australia.
The Stingers will rely heavily on third-year right wing Trevor Blanchard to provide the leadership on offence. He was Concordias leading scorer last season with 14 goals and 17 assists for 31 points in 25 games. Figsby also expects great offensive output from Dmitri Toupikov, a right winger who joined the Stingers in January last season. He had four goals and three assists in 11 games. Another veteran with big responsibilities is fourth-year defenceman Ron Smith, who is expected to play well and lead the team on the back end.
One rookie to watch closely is left wing Nicolas Lafontaine, a six-foot-three, 200-pound power forward with three years of experience in the QMJHL. Last season he played with the Joliette LAction of the Quebec junior AAA league, scoring 51 go