Wilfrid Laurier University Alumni Newsletter From the Home of Golden Hawk Hockey
Volume 2, Issue 2 Message from Dr. Bob Rosehart “It was a great Fall 2004 for the hockey Golden Hawks and Winter 2005 holds promise for the playoffs. Your ongoing interest, participation and support has and continues to be very important to the success of our student athletes”.
Mid Season 2004-05
Hawks Look Adversity in the Face After a disappointing end to the 2004 season, a summer that saw former coach Mark French leave the program for an assistant coaching job in the East Coast Hockey League, and with key departures from players from the 2004 squad, the Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks Men’s hockey team were primed for failure during the first half of the season. From the onset of the hockey season, however, the Hawks were determined to not let the battle of adversity take over their hockey club. “We simply believe in the people that we have in our room” said fourth year Captain Nick Vukovic, who assumed the Captainship after third year center Bryan Kazarian left the program early in November. “Even though we have lost some key people and good team-mates, we believe that if we work hard every night that we can compete with anyone in our league. We have focused on what we do everyday to prepare and to not worry about things we can’t control. We’re having fun at the rink and believing in each other.” Believe they do, the Hawks opened the regular season with a tough victory over the nationally ranked University of Toronto Blues and then went on to win the next three games against Ryerson, RMC, and Queens. Next, the Hawks took a 4-0 record and 10th spot in the national rank-
ings to Thunder Bay to play the number four ranked Lakehead University Thunderwolves where they suffered two hard fought losses to the Thunderwolves. The Hawks, then traveled to London, Ontario to play the number five ranked University of Western Ontario Mustangs but once again came up short in a Fourth Year Captain Nick Vukovic tight checking game. Despite suffering and battled back the next three losses in a row on the road to the number night against University four and five ranked teams of Ottawa, yet another respectively, the Hawks nationally ranked squad. however, regrouped and The Hawks turned in an remained unfazed earn- impressive performance as ing a victory the follow- they outplayed the defending weekend against the ing Far-East champions ninth ranked and Far East and a 3-2 victory with a late Division leading Con- goal by Richard Colwill. cordia Stingers. The next With the win, the Hawks night, the Hawks battled remained in second place the UQTR Patriotes and in the Mid West division, despite giving up two early three points behind York at goals, the Hawks battled the Christmas break with back and outplayed their two games in hand. First year coach Steve opposition for the remain- ing part of the game but Martell has suggested that failed to get the win as the this group of Hawks conPatriots hung on to get a tinue to show everyone 2-1 win. The next week- they have that special qualend, the Hawks traveled to ity that differentiates teams. Montreal to face off against “I have been truly blessed the McGill Redmen and the to have inherited such University of Ottawa Gee veteran leadership. These Gees. At McGill, the Hawks guys make it easy for me were simply outplayed by a to coach this hockey club. determined McGill Redmen Every time I think they get team that went on to defeat down and out someone on the Hawks by a score of our team comes up with a 7-1. Rather than continue strong performance that to dig a deeper hole, the allows us to continue to Hawks remained unfazed believe.
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For more information please visit our website at www.laurierathletics.com
Adopt A Golden Hawk Program The Golden Hawk hockey program invites Alumni to play a significant role in the student-athlete experience. By “adopting” a Laurier hockey player athlete, you can ensure the success of program initiatives. The Adopt-A-Golden Hawk program is more than a fundraiser; it is an opportunity for the community, alumni and corporate sector to support a specific team, while at the same time becoming involved with a specific student-athlete. Each year support from the Adopt-A-Golden Hawk program gives teams the resources they need to expand and improve. This year our goal is to obtain 40 Adopt-AHawk, and if this lofty goal is obtained would allow us to compete nationally with other Adopt-A-Hawk programs. Currently, we are well on our way to achieving this goal but we need your help if we are to achieve our goal. We can not do this alone. During the upcoming Alumni Weekend, the Alumni Challenge will take place during the many festivities. The Alumni Challenge has been initiated to challenge alumni to raise a minimum of 20 Adopt-a-Hawks for the 2004-2005 season. The Alumni Challenge consists of this: Can you convince one, two, or three alumni to sponsor an Adopt-a-Hawk for the upcoming season? If each alumnus actively takes a concerted effort to recruit just one individual for the Adopta-Hawk program, then much needed revenue will generated to allow the Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawk program to return National contention. If you are interested in our program and would like to get involved with a minimum contribution please contact either Head Coach Steve Martell at smartell@wlu.ca or Roland Webster at rwebster@wlu.ca for more information about participating in the AdoptA-Golden Hawk program.
Introducing the New Men's Hockey Head Coach, Steve Martell After a nation-wide search, Wilfrid Laurier University has appointed Steve Martell as Head Coach of the Golden Hawk men’s hockey program. Martell replaces Mark French who had left Laurier this summer to pursue a professional coaching opportunity in the East Coast Hockey League. “I’m extremely excited about the opportunity to lead the Wilfrid Laurier Men’s hockey program,” said Steve Martell. “I look forward to building relationships and working with the academic, athletic, and alumni communities in reaching our goal of a national championship.” Martell comes to Laurier from the University of Calgary where he has been an assistant coach with the men’s hockey program for the past four years while also pursing his Ph.D. studying the decision-making characteristics of high performance athletes. In Calgary, he worked with elite coaches and athletes at the National Sport Center, won a National Championship, worked with both the Men’s and Womens’ National Hockey team, served as an assistant coach with the Olympic Oval Extreme team, was an apprentice coach for the Canadian Men’s National team, and acted as Assistant Coach for the University of Calgary Dinos for the past four years. A graduate of St. Francis Xavier University, the former right-winger played for the X-Men between 1994 and 1997 where he earned league all-star status in each of the three years, divisional MVP in 1996, first Team AllCanadian, the Dr. Bill Godfrey Award for the leadership in sport all at the same time achieving the status as Academic All-Canadian. In addition, to his significant CIS achievements he also won a gold medal at the 1996 Spen-
gler Cup Champio n s h i p with Team Canada. Before univ e r s i t y, he had played in the Washi n g t o n Capitals organization with theBaltimore Skipjacks Head Coach Steve Martell of the Americ a n Hockey League and the Hampton Roads Admirals of the East Coast Hockey League. In Hampton Roads, he was a member of the 1993 Riley Cup Championship team. Prior to his professional career, he spent four years with the London Knights of the Ontario Hockey League, and attained league AllStar recognition, and won awards such as 3rd team OHL All star, Overage Player of the Year, Most Underrated player, Hardest Worker, Best Penalty Killer, and the London Knights Player’s player award. “With Steve’s extensive coaching and academic background, and as a former CIS Academic and Athletic All-Canadian, he was the ideal candidate to lead our men’s hockey program,” stated Peter Baxter, Laurier’s Director of Athletics and Recreation. “We are extremely excited to have him join the Golden Hawk team.”
Matt Grennier and Nick Vukovic Named to FISU Games Team
Fourth year captain Nick Vukovic and second year assistant captain Matt Grennier were both named on December 23, 2004 to Canada’s entry at the 2005 World FISU games team. The Hawks, who will be leaving on Friday, January 4, 2005 and traveling to Innsbruck, Austria, will compete in the tournament against university based allstar teams from around the world. Vukovic, who has been an outstanding leader on the Hawks’ blue line with an average of 23 minutes per game, is having a strong season as noted by yet another all-star selection. Grennier, who is at the top of team scoring and has been instrumental
in the Hawks attempts to attain first place in the Mid-West division, has demonstrated a work ethic that is unparallel in the OUA. Head coach Steve Martell was delighted to here that both athletes had made the team and that they will only have positive memories of the experience for years to come. “Very few many university players are ever blessed with the opportunity to represent Canada and travel to Europe during the season. It will be an experience that both have earned due to their strong work ethic over the course of the season.”
Coach’s Message
Let me please use this opportunity to say how fortunate I am to be associated with a hockey program and university that is steeped in such a rich tradition. Please ensure that I will do everything in my power to uphold the values, beliefs, and traditions that you have established in making this program what it is today and what it will become tomorrow. The spirited Laurier community, high academic standards, and significant alumni community were integral factors in convincing me of the quality of education and athletic program that could be developed and offered here at Laurier. I have chosen this program because I believe that our Laurier has the potential for national success and that in recent years progress has been made that would ensure the long-term success of the program. However, while I believe short-term steps such as the establishment of an Alumni Executive, Alumni Golf Tournament, Alumni weekend, and others have helped to push the program in a positive direction, there needs to be a significant re-investment and involvement from the “Laurier Hockey Community” in order for our program to be a national contender. In order to build a national championship team, I truly believe that a program needs
to create an atmosphere centered around a winning formula that draws on its history, values, philosophy, customs, and last but least its people. A central aspect in this winning formula is the idea of the Laurier family of alumni who fundamentally care about the direction the program. In the “New Laurier Hockey” community, we care and value what you have brought to your program and offer an invitation to you to get re-involved with our program again. Simply put, we want you back in our program so that our current and future players can draw upon your wealth of experience of what it means to be a member of Wilfrid Laurier University. If you are a former hockey alumni who has gotten out of touch with your program and team members from your years, then I am inviting you to get back involved with us so that you can rekindle old relationships with key friends form your hockey program. In so doing, I hope that our program will continue to value the sense of community that has been emblematic of Laurier University for many years. Please, feel free to contact me at smartell@wlu.ca to find out how you can get re-involved with your program once again.
Creation of Hockey Alumni Golf Scholarship Golden Hawks Men’s hockey team is proud to announce the creation of the Men’s Hockey Alumni Golf Tournament Scholarship. This award will be handed out annually starting during the 2004-2005 season. The funds for this endowed scholarship were generated from the proceeds generated from hockey alumni golf tournament. This scholarship will be a $1000.00 award given to the Golden Hawk hockey player who displays excellence both on the ice as well as meets the educational requirements set up by the CIS. Thanks to all hockey alumni and friends who participated in this event of the past number of years.
Hawks Look Adversity in the Face Continued
2005 Hockey Alumni Weekend The second annual Hockey Alumni Weekend presented by Purolator will take place on Saturday February 5th, 2005 at the Waterloo Memorial Recreational Complex. From 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM there will be open swimming at the Rec. Center pool for families. A family skate will also take place at 2:30 until 3:15 PM. The Alumni festivities will commence with the over-50 game from 12:00 PM to 1:15 PM. That game will be followed by a 35-50 game which will take place from 1:15 PM to 2:30 PM. The under-35 game starts at 3:15 and runs an hour and a half as well. A reception followed by dinner will take place from 5:00 PM to 6:30 PM in the Hauser House at the Rec Complex. The reception and dinner will host a silent auction which will continue until the second intermission of the hockey game as the Golden Hawks will take to the ice against the Windsor Lancers at 7:00PM. The full package includes Alumni game jersey, and varsity game ticket for $75. An off-ice package is available for $50 and includes the dinner and the varsity game ticket. Tickets are available online at www.laurierathletics.com/HAC or contact the event chair, Martin Kearns, at kearns.mj@pg.com. The first 60 people who sign up for an Alumni game will receive a FREE black Sherwood hockey bag with a Golden Hawk logo.
These kids just won’t allow anyone to give up or not believe in the group. It is simply amazing.” Martell believes that a work ethic and desire to compete is beginning to emerge and the credit goes to how our guys have handled the adversity that has been placed upon them during the early part of the season. “We have bought into the idea that we can respond to challenges in a way that we choose. We can choose to look at adversity in a negative light but we have not allowed that to happen. We have chosen to look at our simple bumps in the road as speed bumps and not as a season ending roadblock. As a result, our adversity has been a symbol of our strength that will be symbol of our program in years to come”.
2004-2005 Golden Hawk Schedule
23/10/2004 @ Toronto W 4-3 24/10/2004 @ Ryerson W 6-1 30/10/2004 vs. RMC W 3-2 31/10/2004 vs. Queen’s W 7-2 05/11/2004 @ Lakehead L 9-4
Wood, Hwodeky Bolster Hawks Defense in Second Half The Laurier Golden Hawks are pleased to announce the addition of two defenseman to the hockey club for the remainder of the 2000-05 season. Adam Wood, who for the last two years attended Union College in New York, has decided to leave the prestigious NCAA school and join the Hawks for the second half of the 2005 season. Wood comes to the Golden Hawks after an impressive junior career with the Vaughan Vipers where he an All-Star selection. In addition, Rick Hwodeky, who has spent the last two seasons with Hawks before deciding not to play in the first half of the 2004 season due to academic concerns, has decided to return and is excited about the second half of the season. Both Hwodeky (6’3”, 220 lbs) and Wood (6’2, 215 lbs) will add experience, skill, and a much-needed physical dimension to the Hawks blue line, which has seen the defense corps depleted over the course of the season.
06/11/2004 @ Lakehead L 4-1 12/11/2004 @ Western L 6-2
Adopt-a-Hawk Features....
19/11/2004 vs. Concordia W 4-3 20/11/2004 vs. UQTR L 2-1 27/11/2004 @ McGill L 6-1 28/11/2004 @ Ottawa W 4-3 07/01/2005 @ Brock L 5-4 09/01/2005 @ Guelph W 7-3 13/01/2005 @ York 7:30 PM 15/01/2005 vs. Waterloo 7:30 PM 21/01/2005 vs. Guelph 7:30 PM 28/01/2005 vs. Brock 7:30 PM 29/01/2005 vs. York 7:00 PM 04/02/2005 vs. Windsor 7:30 PM 05/02/2005 vs. Windsor 7:00 PM 11/02/2005 vs. Western 7:30 PM 12/02/2005 @ Waterloo 7:30 PM 17/02/2005 vs. Brock 7:30 PM 19/02/2005 @ York 2:00 PM OUA Mid-West Division Semi-Finals OUA Mid-West Division Finals OUA Finals Queen's Cup @ Highest Ranked Team CIS Championship University Cup @ University of Alberta
David Brown
David Brown, a second year communications student from East York, Ontario, is enjoying his second season with the Hawks and is an integral component to the Hawks with 12 points in 12 games. “Brownie”, who got off to a quick start and was at the top of league scoring early on in the season, scored two game winning goals to help the Hawks in their successful first half. Coach Martell is looking forward to a strong second half from the former Brampton Battalion as competition for first place in the Mid West division heats up during the second half of the season. His hard work and dedication to the process of success are critical aspects of the Laurier Golden Hawk philosophy and will help the program reach new heights in years to come. Brownie, however, is urgently seeking an Adopt-a-Hawk sponsor for the current season. He needs your help. If you would like to sponsor David Brown, or any other member of the 2005 Golden Hawks pleas contact Steve Martell at smartell@wlu.ca.
Matt Grennier is a second year economics student from Thunder Bay, Ontario. Matt, a former Kitchener Ranger that was part of the Memorial Cup championship team in 2002, is looking to continue his strong play in the second half of the season once he returns from the World FISU games in Innsbruck, Austria. The second year Assistant Captain is enjoying a stellar year with Hawks and will look to bring the much needed championship experience to the Hawks as they continue to fight for first place in the Mid West division in the second half. “Grenner”, who is near the top of team scoring for the Hawks in the first half, is also looking for an Adopt-a Hawk sponsor during the second half of the season. If you think you would like to Adopt Matt or any other member of the Golden Hawks, then please contact Steve Martell at smartell@wlu.ca for more information on Matt or any other member of the Golden Hawk family.
Matt Grennier