Head Coach Darren Lowe is looking forward to its return to Thunder Bay and to participate in the Bell Canada Varsity Cup. "The U of T Varsity Blues are excited about participating in the Bell Canada Varsity Cup Tournament. The level of competition will be outstanding. Our players had a great time in Thunder Bay last November when we played two league games against Lakehead. The hospitality was second to none and we are thrilled to be invited back."
Team Breakdown:
The Blues are vying to repeat as the OUA Mid East Division Champions for the third consecutive year having lost only four players from last years team that finished the season ranked ninth in the country.
On defense the Blues are led by four solid veterans: Scott Johnson, Mark Hynes, Ben Barrett and Wes Booker. Johnson, who has great offensive abilities, returns for his fifth and final year with the Blues. Hynes, Varsitys top defenseman the last two seasons and the Blues leader on the blueline, enters his fourth campaign as does Barrett, a solid, steady stay at home defender. Booker, a transfer from Queens who played for Sault Ste Marie of the OHL, is also in his fourth season. Sophmores Aaron Wilson and Mark Hale also return. At 6-foot-4 Wilson is an imposing figure who had an excellent rookie year, while Hale made steady improvement after joining the team in late January of 2002. First-year Mike Lymer (Wexford Jr. A) joins this experienced blueline. Lymer also has one year of OHL experience with Owen Sound.
At centre ice the Blues are once again solid with all four of last years centres returning. George Trifon and Steve Murphy both enter their fourth seasons. Trifon has led the Blues in scoring in two of his three seasons while Murphy, who is the heart and soul of the team, returns as team captain for the third consecutive season. OUA All-Star Ian Malcolm, last seasons top scorer (6th in the CIS) enters his third year. Steve Hoar, Varsitys top rookie in 2001-02, returns with his physical style of play and good scoring touch. On the right wing, speedy Mike Hutchison is the senior member as he enters his fourth campaign. Ben Frank, a hard worker, is back for his third season. Jeff Todd and Mike Nason are back for their sophomore years. Todd had an excellent season last year scoring some timely goals. Nason, a gifted goal scorer, is a NCAA transfer who joined the team in December, 2001.
Freshmen Steve Devine and Ryan Robert join the Blues for their first seasons. Devine played for Wexford Jr. A and is a good two way player. Robert, a former St. Michaels Major, played for Georgetown Jr. A last season and gives the Blues size and speed.
On the left side the Blues have fourth-year veteran Brandon Barbowski, the teams second leading scorer in 2001-2002. Tyler Middlebrook, an offensive threat, is back for his third season. Jesse Rycroft who had a good rookie year is returning after off season ankle surgery. Andrew Smale, Chris Glover and Frank Pallotta are three first-year players who will make an immediate impact. Smale, at 6-foot-5, is the teams tallest player and played for the Mississauga Ice Dogs of the OHL, while Glover, who has excellent hands, played Jr. A for Pembroke. Pallotta is the former captain of the Jr. A Vaughan Vipers. Jamie Bruno, the Blues two-time MVP and OUA All-Star, will handle the bulk of the goaltending duties, while first-year Blues Tim Knight and George Ellard will battle for the second and third positions.
2002-2003 Season Results:
Sat Nov 30 Toronto 7 Ryerson 4
Sat Nov 23 Toronto 8 Waterloo 0
Thu Nov 21 Western 4 Toronto 0
Sat Nov 16 Toronto 8 Windsor 2
Fri Nov 15 Toronto 4 Windsor 2
Sat Nov 9 Ottawa 4 Toronto 4 TIE OT
Fri Nov 8 Toronto 3 McGill 2
Sat Nov 2 UQTR 7 Toronto 1
Fri Nov 1 Toronto 3 Concordia 3 TIE OT
Sat Oct 26 Toronto 5 Laurier 2
Sat Oct 19 Brock 5 Toronto<