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Graeme Towshend
Born in Kingston, Jamaica, the 41 year old Townshend moved to Toronto at the age of 3. Played one year of Junior hockey for the Mimico Monarchs of the O.H.A Central Jr. B.As the #2 recruited player in North America, Townshend turned down offers from 14 schools, including Michigan, Michigan State and Cornell, to accept a full scholarship from #1 ranked and defending NCAA Division 1 Frozen Four Champion, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI).As captain at RPI, Townshend, recruited as a forward, led all RPI defensemen in scoring and was one of the top scoring defensemen in the ECACHL as a Junior.
After scoring 22 points in his senior year, Townshend signed with the Boston Bruins in the NHL then went on to play parts of 5 seasons with the Bruins, N.Y. Islanders and Ottawa Senators. Townshend played 686 professional games, scoring 227 goals and 208 assists for 435 points while playing in the NHL, AHL, IHL and WPHL.
Townshend went on to coach 3 years professionally in Macon, GA and Greensboro, NC. During his 13 professional experience, Townshend also owned and operated the nationally acclaimed GTP Hockey Schools, with specialty camps in N.Y., Maine, Texas, Alaska, Colorado and Alberta. Many of Townshends students went onto play NCAA Hockey. Some of Townshends former students include former University of Maine and NHLer’s Peter and Chris Ferraro, Boston Bruins Defensemen Matt Lashoff and Paul Mara to name a few.
Townshend is currently the Player Development Coordinator for the NHL’s San Jose Sharks (one of only 3 in the NHL). His main responsibility is to prepare all sharks players and prospects for the skills required for the “new” NHL, with the primary focus being skating skills. Every player in the Sharks organization is trained under Townshend’s watchful eye, including the NHL’s reigning MVP and Maurice Rocket Richard (NHL’s leading goal scorer) Trophy winner, Joe Thornton and Jonathan Cheechoo respectively.
Graeme is currently the only skating and skills coach in the world who has played, coached and taught at every level of hockey there is. From youth hockey to the Canadian Junior Hockey ranks to NCAA Div. 1 College to Europe to the NHL, Mr. Townshend has the experience to know what truly works and what does not work. "One of my most frustrating experiences was being taught in college by a guy with a figure skating background who had no idea of the challenges I was facing on the ice. I've seen some things being taught (that really do not work) by other nationally known instructors who have absolutely no practical playing experience." says Mr. Townshend.
Townshend was recently inducted into the Canadian Black Hockey Hall of Fame in August of 2006, along with the likes of Anson Carter and Herb Carnegie and Willie O’Ree.
Townshend’s former students:
NY Rangers
Peter Ferraro
Chris Ferraro
Rich Brennan
Boston Bruins
Brad Boyes
Paul Mara
Matt Lashoff
Wayne Primeau
Marco Sturm
Brad Stuart
Tampa Bay Lightning
Brad Richards- Stanley Cup Champ, Playoff MVP, World Cup Champ, Canadian Hockey League National Champ.
Martin St. Louis- Stanley Cup Champ, NHL MVP
Gordie Dwyer
Kyle Federich
Ryan Tobler
Washington Capitals
Mathieu Biron
Darcy Verot
NJ Devils
Jay Pandolpho- 2 time Stanley Cup Champ, NCAA National Champ
Jim Fahey
Pittsburg Penquins
Nils Ekman
Matt Carkner
Philadelphia Flyers
Niko Dimitrakos
St. Louis Blues
Jon DiSalvatore
Ottawa Senators
Tom Priessing
Josh Hennessey
Detroit Red Wings
Josh Langfeld
Los Angeles Kings
Alyn McAuley
Scott Thornton
Phoenix Coyotes
Mike Ricci
Colorado Avalanche
Matt Murley
Montreal Canadians
Dave Morrisette
Kent Hulst
Head Hockey Coach NYA's Varsity Boys NEPSAC DII
Director NYA's Summer Hockey Academy
Manager of the Travis Roy Arena
OHL graduate. Belleville Bulls/Windsor Spitfires
Toronto Maple Leafs 4th Round Draft pick
13 Years of Professional Hockey AHL
Captain 5 Years Portland Pirates AHL
Captain AHL All Star Team Canada 2001
Calder Cup Champions 1993
Calder Cup finalist 1995
Portland Pirates all time leader in Games played, goals and points, playoffs games played , points and goals.
Jeff Guay
2003-2006 Assistant Coach - Lewiston MAINEiacs Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
2001-2003 Assistant Coach Lewiston High School - 2003 Class A State Champions
1998-2000 Assistant Coach Salmon River Shamrocks Fort Covington, NY
Section X Champions from 1998-2001
2001 New York State Champions Ranked 4th in the Nation
USA Hockey Level III Certified
Playing Experience:
* 1997-98 Thunder-Bay Thunder Cats United Hockey League
B.C. Icemen
United Hockey League
* 1996-97 Utica Blizzard
Colonial Hockey League
* 1995-96 Central Texas Stampede
Western Professional Hockey League
* 1994-95 Quad City Mallards
Colonial Hockey League
* 1994 New England Stingers
Roller Hockey International
* 1993-94 Fresno, California
West Coast Hockey League - League Champions
* 1992-93 Cornwall Colts
Ontario Junior A
* 1991-92 Des-Moines Buccaneers
United States Hockey League
United States Junior "A" National Champions
* 1990-91 Messena Americans
Junior “A” Hockey
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