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) midseason 2015-16 to take over the reigns after former Head Coach Craig Fisher formerly resigned for medical reasons.
In Hodgins' inaugural year (2015-16) with the UOIT Ridgebacks the team would go on to post a historic season setting the new season high in wins and points, earning the team's first every playoff round victory, and receiving 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.
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. Assistant Coach at the time, Justin Caruana, would be given the Interim Head Coach tag and complete 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.
UOIT Ridgeback's OUA Regular Season-Playoff Results
| Season |
League |
Division |
GP |
W |
L |
OTL |
SOL |
Pts |
Pct |
GF |
GA |
Head Coach |
Season Result |
Playoff Result |
| 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
External links
