CANISIUS COLLEGE ATHLETICS
BUFFALO, N.Y. — The Canisius hockey team begins preparations for the 2018-19 season Saturday when it hosts Toronto in a 4:35 p.m. exhibition contest at KeyBank Rink at Harborcenter.
Tickets for the game are $10 for general admission and $15 for reserved seating. Canisius students receive complimentary admission.
Picked second in the Atlantic Hockey Association’s preseason coaches poll, the Golden Griffins welcome back 20 letterwinners from its 2017-18 squad that finished second in the Atlantic Hockey regular-season standings with a 17-11-0 record and advanced to the semifinals of the postseason tournament for the fifth time in the last six seasons.
Canisius returns eight of its top nine scorers from a season ago, led by Hobey Baker Top Ten Finalist and 2017-18 Atlantic Hockey Player of the Year Dylan McLaughlin, who ranked among the top-10 players nationally in points (1.30/7th) and assists (0.84/8th) per game.
Fellow All-Atlantic Hockey First Team selection Cameron Heath also returns after leading the Blue and Gold defensemen in goals (7), assists (14) and points (21).
Under the guidance of second-year head coach Ryan Medal, the Varsity Blues take to the ice for their final exhibition contest after formally opening the 2018-19 campaign with a 2-1 setback at conference rival York on Wednesday.
Forward Matt Campagna, who led the team in scoring last season with 25 points on eight goals and 17 assists, highlights a Toronto attack that welcomes back six of its top seven scorers from a season ago.
Frederic Foulem is back between the pipes for the Varsity Blues after appearing in a team-high 21 games last season. Foulem posted a 3.14 goals against average and a .891 save percentage in 1,184 minutes of action.
Canisius opens the 2018-19 regular season Oct. 12-13 at AHA foe Holy Cross before returning home to entertain two-time defending league champion and preseason favorite Air Force Oct. 19-20.
Tickets for all home games for the 2018-19 season are available. They can be purchased by calling 716-888-TIXX or by clicking here.
