Osgoode Hockey primed for Queen’s Law Cup 2016
Take note: Osgoode’s ‘A’ and ‘B’ Ice Hockey teams are whooping some serious ass this season. It’s a little known fact that there are two extremely good hockey teams representing Osgoode in York University’s Ice Hockey Intramural League. Over the last several months, Osgoode ‘A’ (Tier 1) and Osgoode ‘B’ (Tier 2) have been rolling through any team in York University’s path. Both teams are on runs unprecedented in the history of Osgoode Hockey. Leading its division by a country mile, Osgoode ‘A’ sports a record of 15-0-1 with a sparkling goal differential of +78. Osgoode ‘B’ also leads its division with a record of 13-5 and is currently riding a 10-game winning streak. Who would have thought law students would be so good at hockey? I thought all we did was read?
Both teams know the importance of keeping the pedal down over the next month of intramural games as the biggest hockey weekend of the year gets closer and closer. Osgoode ‘A’ and Osgoode ‘B’ will be making the trip to Kingston to compete in the 11th Annual Queen’s Law Cup from March 18-20. The tournament is comprised of 8 student and 7 alumni teams from law schools all over Ontario. The stakes are high: bragging rights as the best legally-minded hockey team in Ontario. Last year, Osgoode ‘A’ made it all the way to the semi-finals before getting knocked out by Queens ‘A’ who would go on to lose in the finals to Windsor. Windsor and Queens ‘A’ are safe bets to be the tournament’s stiffest competition this go around.
Osgoode ‘A’ lost some key pieces from last year’s team, Lucas Stevens-Hall (graduation) and Conor Irvine (exchange); however, the incoming 1L crop was loaded with ringers. Kyle Albers, Nate Holloway, Shawn Frank, James Smith, and Brett Zeggil have turned Osgoode ‘A’ from mere contender into a frontrunner to bring home the cup. It is almost as if Osgoode’s admission committee factored hockey propensity into their admission decisions.
Osgoode ‘A’’s 3Ls (Nick Arruda, Marco Ciarlariello, Andrew Harmes, Kevin Henry, Ladi Onaymei, Ryan Leckie, and David Torchetti) have one last kick at the can before graduation. They all want to end their law school careers with a taste of glory. Their tutelage of the 1Ls and 2Ls—both on and off the ice—can only be described as a tour de force. There is unanimous agreement among the 3L players that is the best Osgoode Team they have played for in their three years.
Osgoode ‘A’’s 2Ls (myself, John Brau, Patrick Power) may not be the most talented players on the team, but what we lack in talent we make up for in heart and looks. The team has made a grit-related exception to allow Cam Adamson (JD/MBA program) to continue playing for Osgoode even though he is attending class in Schulich. As is the case in many gruelling tournaments, goaltending will play a deciding role. Between the pipes for Osgoode ‘A’, will be 2L Scott “Boomer” Tallon. In net, Boomer is as cool as a cucumber and there is no else the team would rather rely on for a key save. Osgoode ‘A’ has a combination of skill, experience, and heart that I am confident can outmatch any opponent.
Osgoode ‘B’ is also burgeoning with talent. There are numerous players who are more than capable playing for Osgoode ‘A,’ it’s just that roster space would not allow it. Osgoode Hall Law School is blessed with an exorbitant of riches when it comes to hockey. More people should know this. The only other law school that sends an ‘A’ and a ‘B’ team to the tournament is Queens Law, the host. It seems almost impossible to imagine Queens’ ‘B’ team having the depth of Osgoode’s.
Osgoode’s hockey teams get to don some slick looking jerseys modelled off the jerseys worn by 1927-1928 Detroit Red Wings. However, looking good is but a small part of the battle. The road to Kingston is not for the faint of heart. It requires a mindset committed to putting team before self. I have managed to curb my Kraft Dinner and Ice Capp intake to two per week, respectively. My late night snacks now consist of baby carrots and celery. Workout routines have been ramped up across the board; more weights are being lifted and more miles are being run than ever before. Dry land workouts and two-a-days become standard practice. There is a palpable sense of optimism to go along with the smell of sweat and determination in Osgoode’s locker-room. The tournament in Kingston provides a tangible goal to direct the mass of growing frustration and stress that comes from the grind that is law school. I, for one, think it is the reason for my sanity.
In league games leading up to Kingston, both Osgoode teams will be working on line combinations trying develop that special type of chemistry need to wins cups. This is the time of year where personal accolades get thrown in the dumpster and complaints get left at home. If it’s best for the name on the front of your jersey, you do it and that’s the end of the story. Backchecking is no longer optional. I have been playing hockey for a long time and I have never experienced a tighter knit locker-room. I can speak only for Osgoode ‘A’ in this respect, but I hear the same goes for Osgoode ‘B’. It’s truly a band of brothers. This just might be Osgoode’s year to bring home the cup!