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".

External links

• Website