Guelph Gryphons men's ice hockey

The Guelph Gryphons men's ice hockey team is an active ice hockey program representing the Guelph Gryphons athletic department of the University of Guelph. The team has been active since the formation of the college in 1964 and is currently a member of the Ontario University Athletics conference under the authority of U Sports. The Gryphons play at the Gryphon Centre in Guelph, Ontario.

Guelph Gryphons men's ice hockey
UniversityUniversity of Guelph
ConferenceOUA
OUA West Division
Head coachJosh Dixon
Since 2023–24 season
Assistant coachesDave Leger
Scott Simmonds
Alec Bowes
Nick Dahan
ArenaGryphon Centre
Guelph, Ontario
ColorsRed, Gold, and Black
     
U Sports Tournament championships
1997
U Sports Tournament appearances
1976, 1979, 1980, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1997, 2002, 2015, 2019, 2020
Conference Tournament championships
1976, 1979, 1980, 1994, 1997, 2015, 2020

History

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Men's Gryphons goalie during 2012-13 hockey season.

Early years

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One of Guelph's predecessor schools, the Ontario Agricultural College, began fielding an ice hockey team at least as far back as 1898. As a small school, OAC played at the intermediate level of the Ontario Hockey Association but only did so sparingly. In the early 20th century, the Redmen also played in the Intermediate Intercollegiate Series but, as most colleges did, suspended play for the duration of World War I. After the war, OAC would play off an on for much of the 1920s and 30s. In the early 40s, the team attempted to play through World War II but eventually suspended play in 1945.

Return to play

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In 1950, Ontario Agricultural College resumed play but remained an independent program. Its unclear at this time whether or not the school still operated at the intermediate level or if they had joined the senior level of college hockey yet. OAC soldiered on with their club for over a decade before finally joining the Quebec–Ontario Athletic Association in 1961. The team played for two seasons before sitting out the 1964 years while the University of Guelph was being formed.

Ontario Veterinary College

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There is some indication that the Ontario Veterinary College played as a member of the Ontario Intercollegiate Athletic Association in 1964. Records from Toronto Metropolitan include two matches against 'OAVC' in 1964, which could have been a combined team from OAC and OVC.[1] In any event, the league played at the intermediate level and is not officially recognized by the university.

Guelph

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Once the first official team from Guelph hit the ice, the Gryphons found themselves with a tough row to hoe. The new club rejoined the QOAA and saw lean years for the duration of the 1960s. It wasn't until 1970 that the Gryphons were able to get out of the conference cellar and they weren't able to produce a winning season until 1972, the first year of play in the OUAA. Over the course of the 70s, Guelph steadily improved and the team won its first league championship in 1976. Guelph finished as runners-up for the national title that year and returned to the tournament in both 1979 and 1980. Afterwards, the program flagged and saw mostly losing seasons until the early 1990s.

Championship

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The Gryphons rebuilt into a powerhouse, routinely winning their division while making several trips to the league final. Guelph won two OUAA championships in the mid-90s and appeared in 4 national tournaments in 5 years. Their successful run culminated with the 1997 CIAU championship. Afterwards, Guelph remained a strong team in the conference but they spent most of the next 20 years failing to make the national series. In 2015, Guelph won a stunning league championship despite having a losing record in the regular season. The Gryphons continued their inspired run and finished with the bronze medal at the 2015 CIS University Cup. Before the decade was out, Guelph made two more appearances in the national tournament but neither saw them win a game.

Season-by-season results

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Men's Gryphons in action against Windsor (2012–13).

Intermediate and collegiate play

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Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, Pts = Points

Extra-League Champion U Sports Semifinalist Conference regular season champions Conference Division Champions Conference Playoff Champions
Season Conference Regular Season Conference Tournament Results National Tournament Results
Conference Overall
GP W L T Pts* Finish GP W L T %
Intermediate Hockey
1898–99 OHA 0 0 0 0 0 ? ? ? ? ? ? Lost Third Round series, 10–19 (Guelph)
Program suspended
Intermediate and Collegiate Hockey
1906–07 IIS 0 0 0 0 0 ? ? ? ? ? Lost Semifinal series, 6–28 (Toronto II)
1907–08 IIS 0 0 0 0 0 ? ? ? ? ? Lost Quarterfinal series, 2–15 (Toronto II)
1908–09 OHAI 8 1 7 0 2 ? ? ? ? ?
1909–10 OHAI 6 0 6 0 0 ? ? ? ? ?
Program suspended
1911–12 OHAI 8 4 4 0 8 ? ? ? ? ?
Program suspended
1913–14 OHAI 8 3 5 0 6 ? ? ? ? ?
1914–15 IIS 0 0 0 0 0 ? ? ? ? ? Lost West Round-Robin, 2-6 (McMaster), 1–12 (Toronto II)
Program suspended
1918–19 OHAI 5 2 3 0 4 ? ? ? ? ?
1919–20 IIS 5 1 4 0 2 ? ? ? ? ?
1920–21 IIS ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?
Program suspended
1922–23 IIS 0 0 0 0 0 ? ? ? ? ? Lost Semifinal series, 1–7 (Toronto II)
Program suspended
1925–26 IIS 4 0 3 1 1 ? ? ? ? ?
Program suspended
1927–28 IIS 6 2 3 1 5 ? ? ? ? ?
1928–29 OHAI 7 4 3 0 8 ? ? ? ? ? ? Won Group 7 Semifinal series, 6–5 (Fergus)
Lost Group 7 Championship series, 3–5 (Elora)
1929–30 OHAI 6 3 3 0 6 ? ? ? ? ? ? Won Section A Semifinal, 3–2 (Hespeler)
Lost Section A Championship series, 4–11 (Elora)
1930–31 IIS 6 3 3 0 6 ? ? ? ? ?
OHA 6 3 3 0 6 ?
1931–32 IIS 5 2 3 0 6 ? ? ? ? ? ?
1932–33 IIS 6 1 5 0 2 ? ? ? ? ? ?
Program suspended
1935–36 OHAI 4 0 4 0 0 ? ? ? ? ? ?
Program suspended
1937–38 IIS 5 1 3 1 3 ? ? ? ? ? ?
1938–39 IIS 6 4 1 1 9 2nd ? ? ? ? ?
Program suspended due to World War II
1941–42 OHAI 3 0 3 0 0 ? ? ? ? ? ?
Program suspended
1943–44 OHAI ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?
1944–45 OHAI 1 0 1 0 0 ? ? ? ? ? ?
Program suspended
1950–51 Independent ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?
1951–52 Independent ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?
1952–53 Independent ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?
1953–54 Independent ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?
Fred Mason (1954–1955)
1954–55 Independent ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?
A. Singleton (1955–1964)
1955–56 Independent ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?
1956–57 Independent ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?
1957–58 Independent ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?
1958–59 Independent ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?
1959–60 Independent ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?
1960–61 Independent ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?
Totals GP W L T % Championships
Regular Season ? ? ? ? ? 1 West Division title
Conference Post-season ? ? ? ? ?
Regular Season and Postseason Record ? ? ? ? ?

Senior collegiate play

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Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, OTL = Overtime Losses, SOL = Shootout Losses, Pts = Points

U Sports Champion U Sports Semifinalist Conference regular season champions Conference Division Champions Conference Playoff Champions
Season Conference Regular Season Conference Tournament Results National Tournament Results
Conference Overall
GP W L T OTL SOL Pts* Finish GP W L T %
A. Singleton (1955–1964)
1961–62 QOAA 12 3 6 3 9 6th 12 3 6 3 .375
1962–63 QOAA 12 5 7 0 10 5th 12 5 7 0 .417
Program suspended
College amalgamated into the 'University of Guelph'
unknown (1964–1970)
1964–65 QOAA 16 1 13 2 4 9th 16 1 13 2 .125
1965–66 QOAA 16 2 13 1 5 9th 16 2 13 1 .156
1966–67 QOAA 16 2 13 1 5 9th 16 2 13 1 .156
1967–68 QOAA 16 3 12 1 7 7th 16 3 12 1 .219
1968–69 QOAA 15 1 13 1 3 9th 15 1 13 1 .100
1969–70 QOAA 15 5 7 3 13 T–8th 15 5 7 3 .433
Dennis Mooney (1970–1972)
1970–71 QOAA 15 5 8 2 12 T–7th 15 5 8 2 .400
1971–72 OUAA 19 11 7 1 23 5th 21 12 8 1 .595 Won Quarterfinal, 2–1 (McMaster)
Lost Semifinal, 2–6 (York)
Frank Carney (1972–1973) / Bud Folusewych (1972–1988)
1972–73 OUAA 17 9 6 2 20 7th 18 9 7 2 .556 Lost Quarterfinal, 0–7 (Waterloo)
1973–74 OUAA 18 10 6 2 22 5th 19 10 7 2 .579 Lost Quarterfinal, 1–7 (Western Ontario)
1974–75 OUAA 17 7 8 2 16 10th 17 7 8 2 .471
1975–76 OUAA 20 14 6 0 28 T–5th 26 18 8 0 .692 Won Quarterfinal, 6–5 (McMaster)
Won Semifinal, 6–5 (Toronto)
Won Championship, 5–4 (York)
Lost First Round, 2–5 (Concordia)
Won Semifinal, 4–1 (Calgary)
Lost Championship, 2–7 (Toronto)
1976–77 OUAA 20 9 7 4 22 5th 22 10 8 4 .545 Won Quarterfinal, 10–5 (Waterloo)
Lost Semifinal, 4–5 (York)
1977–78 OUAA 20 3 15 2 8 13th 20 3 15 2 .200
1978–79 OUAA 16 10 3 3 23 3rd 22 14 4 4 .727 Won Quarterfinal, ? (Windsor)
Won Semifinal, ? (Western Ontario)
Won Championship series, ? (McMaster)
Lost Group 2 Round-Robin, 5–5 (Dalhousie), 2–7 (Quebec–Chicoutimi)
1979–80 OUAA 22 13 6 3 29 T–4th 30 18 9 3 .650 Won Quarterfinal, ? (Laurentian)
Won Semifinal series, 2–1 (Toronto)
Won Championship series, ? (?)
Lost Group 2 Round-Robin, 2–5 (Regina), 5–6 (Moncton)
1980–81 OUAA 22 13 6 3 29 4th 23 13 7 3 .630 Lost Quarterfinal, 4–5 (York)
1981–82 OUAA 22 14 6 2 20 2nd 27 17 8 2 .667 Won Semifinal series, 2–0 (McMaster)
Lost Championship series, 1–2 (Toronto)
1982–83 OUAA 24 11 11 2 24 7th 24 11 11 2 .500
1983–84 OUAA 24 14 10 0 28 T–4th 27 15 12 0 .556 Won Quarterfinal, 10–1 (Laurentian)
Lost Semifinal series, 0–2 (Toronto)
1984–85 OUAA 24 13 8 3 29 6th 25 13 9 3 .580 Lost Quarterfinal, 5–8 (Western Ontario)
1985–86 OUAA 24 9 13 2 20 8th 24 9 13 2 .417
1986–87 OUAA 24 8 14 2 .375 8th 24 8 14 2 .375
1987–88 OUAA 26 6 18 2 14 14th 26 6 18 2 .269
Marlin Muylaert (1988–1998)
1988–89 OUAA 26 7 15 4 18 13th 26 7 15 4 .346
1989–90 OUAA 22 10 12 0 20 T–9th 24 10 14 0 .417 Lost Quarterfinal series, 0–2 (Wilfrid Laurier)
1990–91 OUAA 22 11 10 1 23 10th 26 13 12 1 .519 Won First Round, 3–2 (Western Ontario)
Lost Quarterfinal series, 1–2 (Waterloo)
1991–92 OUAA 22 15 7 0 30 T–5th 28 18 10 0 .643 Won Quarterfinal series, 2–1 (Waterloo)
Lost Semifinal series, 1–2 (Wilfrid Laurier)
1992–93 OUAA 22 16 5 1 33 T–2nd 29 20 8 1 .707 Won Quarterfinal series, 2–0 (Windsor)
Won Semifinal series, 2–1 (Waterloo)
Lost Championship, 4–5 (Toronto)
Lost Semifinal, 2–3 (Toronto)
1993–94 OUAA 26 15 10 1 31 6th 32 20 11 1 .641 Won Division Final series, 2–0 (Toronto)
Won Semifinal, 3–2 (Quebec–Trois-Rivières)
Won Championship, 2–1 (Western Ontario)
Won Semifinal, 6–5 (Western Ontario)
Lost Championship, 2–5 (Lethbridge)
1994–95 OUAA 26 16 7 3 35 T–3rd 32 20 9 3 .672 Won Division Final series, 2–0 (Toronto)
Won Semifinal, 3–1 (Quebec–Trois-Rivières)
Lost Championship, 4–5 (Western Ontario)
Won Semifinal, 4–1 (Calgary)
Lost Championship, 1–5 (Moncton)
1995–96 OUAA 26 16 10 0 32 T–5th 30 18 12 0 .600 Won Division Final series, 2–1 (Toronto)
Lost Semifinal, 2–4 (Quebec–Trois-Rivières)
1996–97 OUAA 26 21 4 1 43 2nd 32 27 4 1 .859 Won Division Final series, 2–0 (Toronto)
Won Semifinal, 3–1 (Quebec–Trois-Rivières)
Won Championship, 3–0 (York)
Won Semifinal, 4–2 (York)
Won Championship, 4–2 (New Brunswick)
1997–98 OUA 26 17 5 4 38 3rd 30 20 6 4 .733 Won Division Final series, 3–0 (Toronto)
Lost Semifinal, ? (Quebec–Trois-Rivières)
Jeff Reid (1998–2007)
1998–99 OUA 26 11 10 5 27 9th 30 13 12 5 .517 Won Division Final series, 2–1 (Toronto)
Lost Semifinal, 1–3 (Quebec–Trois-Rivières)
1999–00 OUA 26 10 12 4 24 9th 28 10 14 4 .429 Lost Division Final series, 0–2 (Queen's)
2000–01 OUA 24 11 11 2 24 T–7th 28 13 13 2 .500 Won Division Semifinal series, 2–0 (Brock)
Lost Division Final series, 0–2 (York)
2001–02 OUA 24 11 12 1 13 T–8th 29 12 16 1 .431 Lost Division Semifinal series, 1–2 (Brock) Lost Pool 1 Round-Robin, 0–8 (Alberta), 2–5 (Western Ontario)
2002–03 OUA 24 6 17 1 13 T–13th 24 6 17 1 .271
2003–04 OUA 24 8 12 2 2 20 T–11th 24 8 14 2 .375
2004–05 OUA 24 8 11 4 1 21 T–12th 26 8 14 4 .385 Lost Division Semifinal series, 0–2 (Lakehead)
2005–06 OUA 24 7 14 3 0 17 13th 24 7 14 3 .354
2006–07 OUA 28 7 14 3 4 21 T–12th 28 7 18 3 .304
Shawn Camp (2007–2023)
2007–08 OUA 28 12 13 1 2 27 T–13th 28 12 14 2 .464
2008–09 OUA 28 14 12 1 1 30 T–10th 31 15 15 1 .500 Lost Division Quarterfinal series, 1–2 (Western Ontario)
2009–10 OUA 28 14 10 0 4 32 9th 33 16 13 4 .545 Won Division Quarterfinal series, 2–1 (Wilfrid Laurier)
Lost Division Semifinal series, 0–2 (Lakehead)
2010–11 OUA 28 15 10 1 2 33 8th 36 19 15 2 .556 Won Division Quarterfinal series, 2–1 (Brock)
Won Division Semifinal series, 2–1 (Wilfrid Laurier)
Lost Division Final series, 0–2 (Western Ontario)
2011–12 OUA 28 9 14 3 2 23 16th 31 10 19 2 .355 Lost Division Quarterfinal series, 1–2 (Lakehead)
2012–13 OUA 28 17 9 0 2 36 T–6th 33 19 12 2 .606 Won Division Quarterfinal series, 2–1 (Wilfrid Laurier)
Lost Division Semifinal series, 0–2 (Windsor)
2013–14 OUA 28 12 12 2 2 28 T–12th 31 13 16 2 .452 Lost Division Quarterfinal series, 1–2 (Western Ontario)
2014–15 OUA 27 11 13 3 0 25 12th 36 27 9 0 .750 Won Division Quarterfinal series, 2–1 (Waterloo)
Won Division Semifinal series, 2–1 (Toronto)
Won Division Final series, 2–0 (Windsor)
Won Championship, 4–0 (Quebec–Trois-Rivières)
Won Quarterfinal, 3–1 (Calgary)
Lost Semifinal, 2–5 (New Brunswick)
Won Bronze Medal Game, 3–2 (OT) (Quebec–Trois-Rivières)
2015–16 OUA 28 16 11 1 0 33 T–8th 36 20 16 0 .556 Won Division Quarterfinal series, 2–1 (Windsor)
Won Division Semifinal series, 2–1 (Ryerson)
Lost Division Final series, 1–2 (Western Ontario)
Lost Bronze Medal Game, 1–4 (Carleton)
2016–17 OUA 28 15 12 1 0 31 11th 32 17 15 0 .531 Won Division Quarterfinal series, 2–0 (Brock)
Lost Division Semifinal series, 0–2 (York)
2017–18 OUA 28 21 6 1 0 43 2nd 33 23 10 0 .697 Won Division Quarterfinal series, 2–1 (Windsor)
Lost Division Semifinal series, 0–2 (Brock)
2018–19 OUA 28 13 11 0 4 30 11th 38 19 15 4 .553 Won Division Quarterfinal series, 2–0 (Windsor)
Won Division Semifinal series, 2–1 (Brock)
Won Division Final series, 2–1 (Western Ontario)
Lost Championship, 1–4 (Queen's)
Lost Quarterfinal, 1–6 (Saskatchewan)
2019–20 OUA 28 17 6 4 1 39 5th 38 24 13 1 .645 Won Division Quarterfinal series, 2–1 (Wilfrid Laurier)
Won Division Semifinal series, 2–0 (Brock)
Won Division Final series, 2–1 (Western Ontario)
Won Championship, 2–1 (3OT) (Ottawa)
Lost Quarterfinal, 1–5 (Saint Mary's)
2020–21 Season cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic
2021–22 OUA 16 4 9 1 2 .344 18th 16 4 10 2 .313
2022–23 OUA 27 10 10 7 0 27 T–13th 27 10 17 0 .370
Josh Dixon (2023–Present)
2023–24 OUA 28 11 16 1 0 23 15th 28 11 17 0 .393
Totals GP W L T/SOL % Championships
Regular Season 1396 635 650 111 .495 3 West Division Titles, 8 Mid West Division Titles
Conference Post-season 148 94 54 0 .635 5 OUAA Championships, 2 OUA Championships
U Sports Postseason 21 7 13 1 .357 11 National Tournament appearances
Regular Season and Postseason Record 1565 736 717 112 .506 1 National Championship

Note: Totals include senior collegiate play only.
Note: Two additional losses from missing series results in 1979 and 1980 are possible.
[2]

Notable alumni

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References

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  1. ^ "BOLD MEN'S HOCKEY GAME-BY-GAME RESULTS" (PDF). TMU Bold. Retrieved February 29, 2024.
  2. ^ "Men's Hockey History" (PDF). Guelph Gryphons. Retrieved February 29, 2024.
  3. ^ "Legends of Hockey -- NHL Player Search -- Player -- Ken Lockett". www.legendsofhockey.net.
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