University of Ontario Institute of Technology Ridgebacks

UOIT Ridgebacks
University University of Ontario Institute of Technology
Association Canadian Interuniversity Sport
Conference Ontario University Athletics
Athletic director Scott Barker
Location Oshawa, Ontario
Varsity teams 10
Arena Campus Ice Centre
Mascot Hunter the Ridgeback
Nickname Ridgebacks
Colours          
Website www.goridgebacks.com

The University of Ontario Institute of Technology Ridgebacks are the athletic teams that represent the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) in Oshawa, Ontario, Canada. The University of Ontario Institute of Technology was founded in 2002. The UOIT Ridgebacks have been competing in Ontario University Athletics since 2006 and have been a member of Canadian Interuniversity Sport since 2008.

University of Ontario Institute of Technology Ridgebacks compete in badminton, soccer, lacrosse, curling, golf, rowing, dance, and hockey. Formerly, the UOIT Ridgebacks had a tennis program. However, in 2016 after 10 seasons the university decided to eliminate the athletic program in favour of creating a badminton program.

Logo & Mascot

UOIT's athletic team colours are blue and white.

The university's mascot and logo is based on a Rhodesian Ridgeback breed of dog. The idea of relating the infamous Ridgeback to the university's athletic program is that the Rhodesian Ridgeback is a large and well muscled hunting dog that is legendary for its ability and use in hunting down lions. Strong and extremely competitive by nature, the Ridgeback is also lightning quick and deftly alert while constantly paying attention to its surroundings. Known as a dominant dog with aggressive instincts, the Ridgeback moves, not only like a hunting dog, but like a dog of prey. It is strong willed and confident and thrives on vigorous exercise and athletic activities. It is equally as tough in the water as it is on land.[1]

Men's ice hockey

Ridgebacks' goalie Jesse Raymond ready for a face-off (September 2013)
Ridgebacks' warming up the goalie (September 2013)

The current head coach of the team is Curtis Hodgins, leaving the Cobourg Cougars (OJHL Junior A) mid-season 2015–16 to take over the reins after former Head Coach Craig Fisher formerly resigned for medical reasons. His current coaching staff consists of Brad Gauld, Paul Ranger, and Matt Reed.

The UOIT Ridgeback men's ice hockey program began with Head Coach Marlin Muylaert, the first head coach of the program, hired for the inaugural season. Muylaert ended his seventh season behind the bench early and was let go mid way through the '13–14 campaign. The assistant coach at the time, Justin Caruana, was given the interim head coach tag and completed the season with the rest of Muylaert's coaching staff, composed of Rob Whistle, David Brown, Ian Young, Matt Reed, and Strength and Conditioning Coach Mark Fitzgerald. Following a search for new direction the university announced two weeks before the start of the 13-14 OUA playoffs that Craig Fisher had been hired as the new head coach for the 2014–15 season.

In Curtis Hodgins' inaugural year (2015–16) with the UOIT Ridgebacks the team set the new season high in wins and points, earned the team's first every playoff round victory, and received the team's first ever vote for the CIS Top 10 ranking. His staff for the 2015-16 season was: Brad Gauld in the role of Associate Head Coach, John Blackburn, Matt Reed, and Matt Gauld. Following the success of '15-16, the Ridgebacks of 16-17, under Hodgin's tutelage, achieved CIS National Ranking for the first time in program history. Beginning Week 1 of the season at #9, achieving #5 following Week 2, and their highest ranking to date #4 on November 9th, 2016.

UOIT Ridgeback's OUA regular season and playoff results

Season League Division GP W L OTL SOL Pts Pct GF GA Head coach Season result Playoff result
2016-17 CIS OUA East 4 4 0 0 0 8 1.000 17 9 Curtis Hodgins 1st Division, 1st League Not yet begun
2015-16 CIS OUA East 28 18 8 1 1 38 0.643 94 93 Craig Fisher/Curtis Hodgins 4th Division, 4th League 2nd Round Exit
2014-15 CIS OUA East 26 10 15 1 0 21 0.385 73 106 Craig Fisher 7th Division, 13th League 1st Round Exit
2013-14 CIS OUA East 28 8 16 4 0 20 0.286 64 110 Marlin Muylaert/Justin Caruana 8th Division, 17th League 1st Round Exit
2012-13 CIS OUA West 28 11 16 1 0 23 0.393 92 112 Marlin Muylaert 8th Division, 16th League 1st Round Exit
2011-12 CIS OUA West 28 6 21 1 0 13 0.214 86 138 Marlin Muylaert 9th Division, 18th League Did Not Make
2010-11 CIS OUA West 28 12 12 4 0 28 0.429 82 100 Marlin Muylaert 7th Division, 12th League 1st Round Exit
2009-10 CIS OUA West 28 11 15 2 0 24 0.393 90 119 Marlin Muylaert 8th Division, 15th League 1st Round Exit
2008-09 CIS OUA Mid West 28 7 16 5 0 19 0.250 83 130 Marlin Muylaert 4th Division, 16th League Did Not Make
2007-08 CIS OUA Mid West 28 6 19 3 0 15 0.214 60 128 Marlin Muylaert 4th Division, 17th League Did Not Make

UOIT Ridgeback Skaters All-Time/Career Season Stat Leaders

Player Name Position Games Played Goals Assists Points PTS/GP
Josh Vatri F 104 56 49 105 1.01
Tony Rizzi F 138 49 54 103 0.75
Nathan Spaling F 112 30 61 91 0.81
Jesse Stoughton F 100 46 38 84 0.84
Luke VanMoerkerke F 133 32 51 83 0.62
James Woodcroft F 132 35 33 68 0.52
Mike Noyes D 112 20 47 67 0.60
Brendan Wise F 127 35 29 64 0.504
Kyle Wetering F 97 27 34 61 0.63
Cameron Yuill* F 107 15 40 55 0.51
Kevin George F 105 24 30 54 0.51
Derrick Bagshaw F 74 26 25 51 0.69
Scott Baker F 78 20 31 51 0.65
Brent Varty F 84 13 31 44 0.52
Matt Pasztor D 132 11 32 43 0.33

*Denotes Active Player

UOIT Ridgeback Goalies All-Time/Career Season Stat Leaders

Player Name Games Played Minutes Played Wins Win % Shutouts Goals Against Saves Goals Against Average Save %
Brendan O'Neil* 42 2403 24 0.571 1 136 1169 3.39 0.896
Colin Dzijacky 39 1930 9 0.231 2 118 1011 3.67 0.895
Jason Guy 67 3595 21 0.313 2 234 2003 3.91 0.895
Josh Evans 8 154 0 0.00 0 12 97 4.68 0.890
Bryce O'Hagan 25 1419 10 0.400 1 88 702 3.72 0.889
Josh Sturrock 6 143 0 0.00 0 10 74 4.20 0.881
Jacob Rattie 18 721 3 0.167 0 56 410 4.66 0.880
Matt Mateja 43 2155 9 0.209 1 168 1211 4.68 0.878
Jesse Raymond 6 275 1 0.17 0 19 130 4.15 0.872
Jeff Dawson 44 1913 8 0.182 0 140 939 4.39 0.870
Ben Csiernik* 3 93 1 0.333 0 6 50 3.87 0.893

*Denotes Active Player

UOIT Ridgeback Skaters All-Time/Career Playoff Stat Leaders

Player Name Position Games Played Goals Assists Points PTS/GP
James Woodcroft F 9 3 9 12 1.33
Jesse Stoughton F 9 5 2 7 0.78
Jason Shaw* D 5 2 4 6 1.20
Colt Kennedy F 4 2 2 4 1.00
Ben Blasko* F 5 1 3 4 0.80
Danny Elser* F 5 1 3 4 0.80
Brendan Wise F 4 1 2 3 0.75
Brent Varty F 3 0 3 3 1.00
Jeremy Whelan F 3 2 1 3 1.00
Mitch Bennett* F/D 4 0 3 3 0.75

*Denotes active player

Tennis

Announced in 2016 after 10 completed seasons competing in Tennis, the University announced the elimination of the program.

Rowing

The Ridgebacks rowing team was first established in 2005 and currently operate out of Durham Rowing Club in Port Perry, Ontario. Currently the team competes in Ontario level Regetta's during the months of September and October. Complete with Men's and Women's rowing Novice and Varsity levels.[2]

Badminton

Announced in 2016, inconjunction with the elimination of the Tennis program, the university created and began the Badminton program. The inaugural coach for the introduction of the program is Wayne King, a decorated OUA badminton coach with years of experience with the University of Toronto badminton program.

References

  1. "UOIT Tradition". University of Ontario Institute of Technology. Retrieved November 7, 2013.
  2. "UOIT Rowing".
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