The No. 8 York Lions take part in the Bell Cup for the first time. The Lions were OUA Mid-West Division Champions last season and also took part in the CIS National Championships, along with Lakehead and UNB. York will also be coming to the tournament to get some revenge on the Thunderwolves who defeated them 9-2 and 8-3 in Thunder Bay in November in OUA regular season play.
York Head Coach Graham Wise said his team is looking forward to going head-to-head with some of the best teams in CIS hockey. "To be in the tournament means a lot to the York hockey team because of the high caliber teams that are entered. It should be outstanding hockey and will give us a bench mark to see where we stand on a national level."
York comes into the Bell Tournament with a 7-2-3 OUA record and a 10-5-2 overall mark (.667 winning percentage). Daryl Bat is the Lions' big scorer so far this season, recording 9 goals and 15 assists for 24 points and second place in OUA scoring. Phil Knapp (9 goals, 5 assists) and Julian Smith (4 goals, 10 assists) are the other big snipers so far this season.
York is 12th in the OUA on the powerplay at 12.5% and 15th on the penalty kill at 76.67%.
With 14 returning players and nine freshmen this year's team combines speed up front with size and toughness on the blueline. Goaltender Derek Dolson was named the OUA West Conference MVP, Rookie of the Year and a second team OUA All-Star last year. His presence gives the team an opportunity to win every night. Backing-up Dolson is second-year netminder Scott Della Vedova and rookie Lance King.
Captain Sean Murphy is one of just three veterans returning to the York blueline. A two-time OUA All-Star, Murphy and returnees Jesse Johnston and Jon Hedberg are joined by four newcomers. Former Greensboro General Steve Chabbert will provide experience and toughness, while James Carney, Trevor Penrose, and
Gianluca Spirito provide depth and size.
York 's top three scoring forwards return from a year ago. Darryl Bat was the team's leading scorer last year with 31 points in 22 games (6 goals, 25 assists). Shane Nash, a second team OUA All-Star last year, was York 's top goal scorer last yearwith 15 goals in 18 games (15 goals, 11 assists). First team All-Star Julian Smith tallied 26 points in 24 games (10 goals, 16 assists). The offensive load also falls to wingers Jason Pinizzotto, Darryl Thomson and Rich Williams. Veterans Matt Reynolds, Rich Kearns, Phil Knapp and Blair Grennier are solid two-way players who will take on more of a leadership role this season. Newcomers up-front include Rob Shilton, Jerry Connell, Mike McKenna, and Geoff Campbell.
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