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For all Canisius College sports, see Canisius Golden Griffins.
Canisius Golden Griffins men's ice hockey
Current season
Canisius Golden Griffins athletic logo
UniversityCanisius University
ConferenceAHA
Head coachTrevor Large
8th season, 100–119–23 (.461)
Assistant coaches
ArenaLECOM Harborcenter
Buffalo, New York
ColorsBlue and gold[1]
   
NCAA Tournament appearances
2013, 2023
Conference Tournament championships
2013, 2023
Conference regular season championships
2017
Current uniform

The Canisius Golden Griffins men's ice hockey team is a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I college ice hockey program that represents Canisius University. The Golden Griffins are members of Atlantic Hockey America, formed shortly after the 2023–24 season by the merger of their former hockey league, the Atlantic Hockey Association, with College Hockey America.[2] They play at the LECOM Harborcenter in Buffalo, New York across the street from KeyBank Center, home of the Buffalo Sabres of the National Hockey League.[3] Canisius has won an automatic bid to the NCAA Men's Ice Hockey Tournament twice, after winning the Atlantic Hockey title in the conference playoffs in both 2013 and 2023, but lost in the first round to the top-ranked team each time.[4]

History

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Early years

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Canisius founded its hockey team, then known as the Ice Griffs, in the fall of 1971 as a club sport led by Dr. David Dietz.[5] Two years later they joined their first conference and by 1976 had claimed two conference titles. Dietz resigned after the 1976 championship and allowed Mike Kelly to take over. Kelly kept the team performing at a high level but finished runner up two years running before reclaiming the title in 1979. Canisius join a new conference the following year and after claiming the championship, their fourth in a six-year span, the program was elevated to varsity status.

With a new division to play in Canisius also received a new coach in Brian Cavanaugh. Their first two seasons in Division III went well for the Golden Griffins but when Cavanaugh took a year off in 1982 the program slumped to single-digit wins before rebounding after the coach's return. During Cavanaugh's tenure he kept the team mostly above .500 and aside from a dip in the early 1990s Canisius was a contender for the ECAC West crown most years.[6] Canisius was able to reach two ECAC West title game in the '90s but lost both contests by one goal.

Division I

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When the MAAC announced it was forming an ice hockey division in 1997 only three member teams had extant programs, one of those was Canisius who became a founding member of the league that began play in 1998–99. The Golden Griffins played well in their first season, finishing with a winning record, but it was their play in the conference tournament, allowing them to reach the title match, that made Canisius stand out. Unfortunately that was the height of Canisius' time in the MAAC. Despite a 20-win season the following year the Griffs were bounced in the first round and won only one MAAC playoff game after their inaugural year in D-I.

When two of the MAAC's teams ended their ice hockey sponsorship in 2003 the conference was able to end its support for the hockey division. The remaining nine schools simply reformed into a new conference called Atlantic Hockey and continued on without much trouble. Canisius' trouble in the conference tournament continued throughout the decade and saw them win two out of their first ten games. During that streak, however, the Canisius program went through some upheaval. Long-time coach Brian Cavanaugh came under fire for his conduct through complaints from his players. In December 2004 he was fired when players threatened to sit out a game and he was soon replaced by assistant Clancy Seymour.[7] The following season began with yet a third coach, Dave Smith and it took the new bench boss a few years to repair the program.

In 2009–10 Canisius posted its first winning season in nine years and reach the conference semifinal. After a couple of modest seasons the Golden Griffins shocked Atlantic Hockey by winning the 2013 Tournament as a 7th-seed and made its first appearance in the NCAA tournament. The Golden Griffins played well but bowed out in their first game against top-seeded Quinnipiac. Over the next few years Smith pushed the program to better results, culminating in their first conference title in 2017. Smith was hired away by Rensselaer soon after[8] but the Golden Griffins continue to perform well under new coach Trevor Large.

Canisius faces off against Air Force during a game in 2021

The Golden Griffins finished fourth in the 2022–23 Atlantic Hockey division standings.[9] Canisius defeated fifth seeded Army in three games[10] to advance to the conference tournament semifinals, where they defeated sixth seeded Niagara in three games and advanced to their second straight conference championship game, their first as hosts.[11] The Golden Griffins went on to defeat seventh seeded Holy Cross by a score of 3–0 to clinch the program's second appearance in the NCAA tournament.[12] Canisius faced the No. 1 seeded Minnesota Golden Gophers in the opening round of the tournament. Canisius maintained a 2–1 lead early in the second period thanks to goals by forwards Daniel DiGrande and Nick Bowman, before allowing two goals to make the score 3–2 heading into the third period. The Golden Griffins would end up losing to the Golden Gophers by a score of 9–2, finishing the season with a 20–19–3 record.[13]

Shortly after the 2023–24 season, the Atlantic Hockey Association and College Hockey America merged to form Atlantic Hockey America. The predecessor conferences had operated with a single commissioner and shared conference staff since 2010.

Season-by-season results

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Main article: List of Canisius Golden Griffins men's ice hockey seasons

Source:[6]

All-time coaching records

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As of the completion of 2023–24 season[14]

Tenure Coach Years Record Pct.
2017–Present Trevor Large 7 100–119–23 .461
2005–2017 Dave Smith 12 172–223–59 .444
2004–2005 Clancy Seymour 1† 9–8–3† .525
1982–1983 Carl Koeppel 1 9–16–1 .365
1980–1982, 1983–2004‡ Brian Cavanaugh 24‡ 342–306–56 .526
Totals 5 Coaches 44 Years 631–673–142 .485

† interim head coach
‡ fired mid-season

Awards and honors

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Source:[15]

NCAA

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AHCA First Team All-Americans

MAAC

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Individual awards

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MAAC Goaltender of the Year

All-Conference teams

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First Team All-MAAC

Second Team All-MAAC

MAAC All-Rookie Team

Atlantic Hockey

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Individual awards

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All-Conference teams

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First Team All-Atlantic Hockey

Second Team All-Atlantic Hockey

Third Team All-Atlantic Hockey

Atlantic Hockey All-Rookie Team

Canisius Hall of Fame

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The following is a list of Canisius' men's ice hockey players who were elected into the Canisius College Hall of Fame (induction year in parentheses).[15]

  • Derrick Bishop (2013)
  • Andre Bourgeault (2006)
  • Dr. David Dietz (2001)
  • Joe Federico (2005)
  • Josh Oort (2010)
  • Gary Roessler (1998)
  • Mike Sisti (2002)
  • Kevin Sykes (1999)
  • Mike Torrillo (1999)
  • Brian Worosz (2016)

Statistical leaders

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Source:[16]

Career points leaders

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Player Years GP G A Pts PIM
Mike Torillo 1984–1988 117 121 144 265 N/A
Kevin Sykes 1984–1988 104 114 120 234 N/A
Josh Oort 1994–1998 103 67 105 172 49
Mike Sisti 1986–1990 120 74 89 163 156
Gary Roessler 1980–1984 90 68 84 152 N/A
Andre Bourgeault 1992–1996 107 55 93 148 127
Cory Conacher 2007–2011 129 62 85 147 156
Dylan McLaughlin 2015–2019 151 58 89 147 28
Dave Yablecki 1987–1991 115 59 86 145 21
Derrick Bishop 1991–1995 103 46 98 144 114

Career goaltending leaders

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GP = Games played; Min = Minutes played; GA = Goals against; SO = Shutouts; SV% = Save percentage; GAA = Goals against average

Minimum 2000 minutes

Player Years GP Min W L T GA SO SV% GAA
Charles Williams 2016–2017 34 2009 21 7 5 61 6 .943 1.82
Keegan Asmundson 2012–2015 45 2422 18 15 6 84 3 .930 2.08
Jacob Barczewski 2019–2023 100 5642 44 42 8 245 6 .917 2.61
Tony Capobianco 2010–2014 101 5858 39 47 10 265 8 .920 2.72
Daniel Urbani 2016–2020 42 2433 17 22 3 115 1 .915 2.84

Statistics current through the end of the 2022-23 season.

Current roster

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As of August 7, 2024.[17]

No. S/P/C Player Class Pos Height Weight DoB Hometown Previous team NHL rights
4 Minnesota Keegan Langefels Senior D 6' 0" (1.83 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 2001-02-02 Eden Prairie, Minnesota New Mexico Ice Wolves (NAHL) —
5 Alberta Robert Kincaid Junior D 6' 2" (1.88 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 2002-05-13 Barrhead, Alberta Maine (HEA) —
8 Ontario Matteo Giampa Sophomore F 6' 1" (1.85 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 2003-09-03 Virgil, Ontario Bonnyville Pontiacs (AJHL) —
9 Vermont Kyle Haskins Graduate F 6' 0" (1.83 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 2000-02-16 Huntington, Vermont Michigan State (Big Ten) —
12 Ohio Luke Farthing Graduate D 5' 10" (1.78 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 1999-04-21 Stoutsville, Ohio Ferris State (CCHA) —
13 New Jersey Mikey Colella Graduate F 5' 7" (1.7 m) 155 lb (70 kg) 1999-06-12 Wenonah, New Jersey Northern Michigan Wildcats (CCHA) —
14 Alberta Trey Funk Sophomore F 6' 2" (1.88 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 2002-04-11 Redwood Meadows, Alberta Bonnyville Pontiacs (AJHL) —
15 Ontario Matt Vermaeten Senior F 5' 10" (1.78 m) 165 lb (75 kg) 2001-01-04 Ottawa, Ontario Shreveport Mudbugs (NAHL) —
20 Ontario Ryan Gillespie Freshman F 6' 0" (1.83 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 2003-01-31 Toronto, Ontario Salmon Arm Silverbacks (BCHL) —
23 California Cooper Haar Graduate F 6' 3" (1.91 m) 205 lb (93 kg) 1999-04-26 Huntington Beach, California Aberdeen Wings (NAHL) —
24 Illinois Jackson Decker Graduate D 5' 11" (1.8 m) 170 lb (77 kg) 1999-03-19 Algonquin, Illinois Chippewa Steel (NAHL) —
25 Texas Jackson Nieuwendyk Sophomore F 6' 1" (1.85 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 2002-09-04 Dallas, Texas Penticton Vees (BCHL) —
26 Switzerland Stefano Bottini Junior F 6' 0" (1.83 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 2002-05-03 Lugano, Switzerland Penticton Vees (BCHL) —
27 British Columbia Dominic Payne Freshman D 6' 1" (1.85 m) 176 lb (80 kg) 2004-12-08 North Vancouver, British Columbia Sherwood Park Crusaders (BCHL) —
30 British Columbia Ethan Robertson Freshman G 6' 1" (1.85 m) 175 lb (79 kg) 2002-02-22 Courtice, Ontario Austin Bruins (NAHL) —
33 Sweden Petter Wickström Stumer Freshman G 6' 6" (1.98 m) 203 lb (92 kg) 2004-09-03 Stockholm, Sweden Northeast Generals (NAHL) —
37 Manitoba Hunter Andrew Junior F 6' 0" (1.83 m) 165 lb (75 kg) 2002-10-25 Virden, Manitoba Powell River Kings (BCHL) —
41 Saskatchewan Ben Bonisteel Freshman G 6' 3" (1.91 m) 207 lb (94 kg) 2004-04-04 Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Trenton Golden Hawks (OJHL) —
44 Ontario Luke Marshall Freshman D 6' 0" (1.83 m) 170 lb (77 kg) 2003-06-20 Fenwick, Ontario Brooks Bandits (BCHL) —
47 Massachusetts Grant Porter Junior F 5' 11" (1.8 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 2002-02-21 Weston, Massachusetts Providence (HEA) —
53 Ontario Jack Budd Sophomore D 6' 2" (1.88 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 2003-08-29 Toronto, Ontario Bonnyville Pontiacs (AJHL) —
55 Ontario Christian MacDougall Junior F 6' 0" (1.83 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 2001-03-13 Toronto, Ontario Coquitlam Express (BCHL) —
57 Ontario Carter Patterson Freshman D 6' 4" (1.93 m) 201 lb (91 kg) 2003-11-13 Burlington, Ontario Blackfalds Bulldogs (BCHL) —
61 Alberta Hunter Price Freshman F 6' 1" (1.85 m) 194 lb (88 kg) 2003-10-25 Calgary, Alberta Sherwood Park Crusaders (BCHL) —
72 New York (state) Alec Cicero Graduate F 5' 10" (1.78 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 2001-03-09 Williamsville, New York Holy Cross (AHA) —
73 British Columbia Cody Schiavon Graduate D 6' 0" (1.83 m) 200 lb (91 kg) 2000-07-01 West Kelowna, British Columbia Vermont (HEA) —
77 Alberta Kash Rasmussen Junior F 6' 2" (1.88 m) 170 lb (77 kg) 2001-04-20 Cochrane, Alberta Michigan Tech (CCHA) —
88 Minnesota Killian Kiecker-Olson Junior F 6' 1" (1.85 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 2001-01-19 Andover, Minnesota Maine (HEA) —
91 Ontario Alton McDermott Senior F 5' 10" (1.78 m) 175 lb (79 kg) 2001-06-04 Oakville, Ontario Oakville Blades (OJHL) —
92 Ontario Oliver Tarr Junior F 6' 0" (1.83 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 2002-01-20 Uxbridge, Ontario Haliburton County Huskies (OJHL) —
94 Florida Cole Kodsi Graduate F 6' 2" (1.88 m) 200 lb (91 kg) 2000-06-17 Delray Beach, Florida Union (ECAC) —

Notable former players

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Notable alumni include:

Golden Griffins in the NHL

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See also: Former NCAA players in the National Hockey League

As of July 1, 2024.

Player Position Team(s) Years Games Stanley Cups
Cory Conacher Center TBL, OTT, BUF, NYI 2012–2020 193 0

[18]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Canisius College Style Guide 2014". Retrieved April 13, 2016.
  2. ^ "Atlantic Hockey and College Hockey America Join to Form Atlantic Hockey America" (Press release). Atlantic Hockey America. April 30, 2024. Retrieved May 2, 2024.
  3. ^ "Canisius Golden Griffins Men's Hockey". U.S. College Hockey Online. Retrieved April 10, 2011.
  4. ^ "Quinnipiac rallies, knocks off Canisius in semis". 30 March 2013.
  5. ^ "Canisius Men's Hockey 2010-11 Media Guide". Canisius Golden Griffins. Retrieved September 10, 2018.
  6. ^ a b "Canisius Men's Hockey Team History". USCHO.com. Retrieved September 10, 2018.
  7. ^ "Cavanaugh Out at Canisius". USCHO.com. 2004-12-10. Retrieved 2014-08-14.
  8. ^ "Rensselaer Unveils Canisius Smith As Head Coach". USCHO.com. 2017-04-06. Retrieved 2018-09-11.
  9. ^ "2022-23 Ice Hockey Schedule".
  10. ^ "Hockey Blanks Army in Game Three to Advance to AHA Semis".
  11. ^ "Third-Period Surge Sends Hockey to AHA Championship Game".
  12. ^ "Hockey Wins 2023 Atlantic Hockey Championship".
  13. ^ "Hockey Falls to No. 1 Minnesota in NCAA Regional Semifinals".
  14. ^ "Canisius Men's Hockey Team History". Retrieved 2018-09-10.
  15. ^ a b "Canisius Golden Griffins Awards" (PDF). Canisius Golden Griffins. Retrieved 2018-09-13.
  16. ^ "All-Time Top 10 Records (Career)". Brown Bears. Retrieved September 10, 2018.
  17. ^ "2023–24 Hockey Roster". Canisius Golden Griffins. Retrieved September 14, 2023.
  18. ^ "Alumni report for Canisius College". Hockey DB. Retrieved March 20, 2019.
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