SEASON PREVIEW: Men’s hockey preparing for ‘the big moment’

The Gee-Gees men's hockey team is ready to pick-up where they left off following a first-place finish in the OUA East last season. Twenty-three players are returning from last season's squad, along with six newcomers complementing the core with additional skill and depth.

"The goal this year to be prepared for the big moment," said head coach Patrick Grandmaître .

"We know on any night we can beat anybody, but we know on any night we can be beaten. 

"It's going to come down to a playoff match-up at the end of the day, there's going to be an elimination game. We need to be at our best in that moment. The best way to prepare for that is to go about every day and being at our best and being ready for those big moments," he said.

"We're going to try and pick up right where we left off," added newly-minted captain Quinn O'Brien. "Things we control are our effort and our compete level, and those are things that we bring every day, and the record will speak for itself when we're done." 

"[The newcomers] are looking great, I think there's a lot of promise in every one of them. They all work hard and it'll be exciting to watch moving forward," he said.

OFFENCE

The highest-scoring line in the OUA East last year is back in Garnet and Grey. The trio of Kevin Domingue, Cody Drover, and Brendan Jacome tallied a total of 106 points in 2018-19. Expect the fourth-year forwards to continue producing at a high rate heading into this season.

The absence of graduating forwards Eric Locke and Jean-François Plante will create opportunity for players to make an impact. 

Yvan Mongo established himself as a consistent two-way player in his rookie season and could see increased opportunity in the offensive zone.

Newcomers Martin Frechette, a transfer from the NCAA, and Daniel Hardie, a recruit from QMJHL Charlottetown, deepen the line-up with more dynamic, shifty attackers.

DEFENCE

A fortified defence was a key component for the Gee-Gees squad that surrendered only 64 goals last season — second fewest in the entire OUA.

The blueline will be even better this season, with no graduates on defence and the additions of Dominic Cormier and Nicolas Mattinen.

Both Cormier and Mattinen were standouts in their final CHL season, but are equally as reliable in the defensive zone.

GOALTENDING

Between the pipes, Graham Hunt is back for his fourth season following an impressive 2018-19 campaign. He posted a 10-2 record, leading the OUA with a goals-against average of 2.13.

Anthony Brodeur's season was equally as strong, with an 11-4 record and setting career-highs in save percentage and goals-against average.

Challenging Brodeur and Hunt for playing time will be newcomer Domenic Graham. Following four seasons with Nipissing, the Ottawa, Ont.-native will be playing his final season of eligibility in Garnet and Grey.

No matter who slots between the pipes on any given night for the Gee-Gees, it won't be easy for OUA shooters to find the back of the net. 

LOOKING AHEAD

The Garnet and Grey will open the season with a three-game road swing, with the season opener at McGill on October 3. Following a trip through Laurier and Waterloo, the team will hit the ice for their home opener on October 18 against Western.

A gruelling schedule this season will feature three games against each division rival Carleton, McGill, UQTR, and Concordia, in addition to Queen's. The annual Colonel By Classic at the Arena at TD Place is slated for November 15.

Tickets for all home games are available now at tickets.geegees.ca. The full regular season schedule can be found here.