Six new Canadians take ice for Aggie hockey
The two main goals for the USU hockey team this season include a national championship and higher education.
With the addition of six new Canadian players, steps have already been taken to achieve these goals. The new teammates are Seth Armitage, David Wyman, Billy Gouthro, Jeremy Martin, Matt Hamilton and Mike Daugulis.
Seth Armitage is from Chase, British Columbia, and is a junior in business management. He plays center and is a transfer student from Utah Valley University.
David Wyman is from The Pas, Manitoba, and is a sophomore majoring in physical education. Wyman is a forward and also a transfer student from UVU.
Billy Gouthro is from Dominion, Nova Scotia, and a junior majoring in sociology. Gouthro said his natural position is center and is a transfer student from St. Mary’s University.
Jeremy Martin is from Vancouver, British Columbia, and is a sophomore majoring in physical education. Martin is a defenseman and said he doesn’t miss anything from his previous school, UVU.
Matt Hamilton is from Thunder Bay, Ontario and an undeclared freshman. Hamilton plays as a forward and was convinced to come to USU by friends Dan Cornelius and Mackenzie York.
Mike Daugulis is from Whistler, British Columbia and is in his fifth year studying exercise science and physical education. Daugulis is a forward and a transfer student from UVU.
Although all six players are new to USU, playing hockey is second nature to them, having grown up in a place where the sport is everything.
“Almost everybody in Canada plays hockey,” Armitage said. “It’s a really popular sport.”
Wyman seconded hockey’s popularity in Canada.
“Hockey in Canada is like football in America,” he said. “It’s a sell-out.”
Duagulis agreed.
“Everyone in Canada is immersed in hockey,” he said. “It’s on the TV, it’s on the streets and kids grow up wanting to play.”
Not only have each of these athletes played hockey for at least the last 15 years, most of them grew up playing with each other in a Canadian league called Junior A. It is these past friendships and teammates they said make this year’s lines so smooth.
“On other teams I’ve played on, there were cliques, and people didn’t necessarily like each other,” Armitage said. “But the guys here get along really well. We hangout together after practices and games.”
Hamilton agreed.
“Our new teammates are great,” he said. “Everyone gelled right away and we’re all friends.”
Gouthro said he considers his teammates his brothers, and is excited they are all able to work towards a common goal together. That goal is the thrill of winning a national championship this year.
“We have some great veteran leadership,” Gouthro said. “We’ve brought in some core players, and we all have lots of skill and experience. We have the guns and the defense and the leadership to do it.”
Wyman also said he believes the team has a pretty good chance at the championship.
“As long as we just stick together and keep improving it’s really just up to us,” Wyman said. “There’s a lot of talent here.”
Martin said, “The team has a lot of depth to it. There are three solid lines so it doesn’t matter who gets put out on the ice, there’s going to be some productivity for sure.”
Daugulis said the talent is just so and that anyone can step up and be great at any position.
Armitage agreed.
“We have the talent to beat any team in the league,” he said.
But talent on the ice isn’t the only ability these Canadians possess.
“Most importantly, we’re here to get an education and keep our grades up,” Gouthro said.
The athletes have to meet NCAA requirements which require at least a 2.0 GPA.
“It gets overwhelming sometimes, balancing school and homework and assignments with the gym, practice and travel,” Gouthro said. “It’s tough, but if you love it, that’s what you do.”
All six transferred to USU this season from other schools, but none in the group regret their choice in coming here.
“I love it in Logan,” Daugulis said. “The school is great, the team is great and all my transfer credits were accepted. This is an unreal group of guys and the fans are great. We have an unreal barn to play in up here.”
Wyman said his favorite part about USU is that playing in Logan is just like playing at home.
“Coming here was really a no-brainer,” he said.
–jodi.burton@aggiemail.usu.edu
USU forward Matt Hamilton moves the puck against BYU, Sept. 27, at the Eccles Ice Center. Hamilton is one of six new players for the Aggies. (Cameron Peterson)