RECRUIT PROFILE: Licandro and Pinard commit to Gee-Gees football

Gee-Gees football have added two seasoned OUA student-athletes in quarterback Ryan Licandro and offensive lineman Nicholas Pinard. Both players join the Gee-Gees by way of the Queen's Gaels.

An Ottawa product, Licandro will be returning to the nation's capital. Before donning the gold of the Gaels, he attended and played at St. Peter High School in Orléans, Ont.

"I'm excited to continue my story from the place it all began," said Licandro, who is already enrolled in classes at the University of Ottawa. "The work ethic and passion of the football community in this city is second-to-none. I'm excited to play with my guys back home, and do it all in front of my family and support system that helped get me to where I am now."

Licandro saw playing time in the latter half of his rookie season in 2019, passing for 739 yards and four touchdowns. Curiously, the first game in which the pivot saw significant action was against the Gee-Gees on Sept. 7, 2019, passing for 151 yards. 

The 6'5", 210 lbs. passer backed up James Keenan during the Gaels run to the Yates Cup in 2021. Licandro will be eligible to suit up in Garnet and Grey for the 2023 season. 

"I can't dress for any games this year, but the rest of the process will be the same for me," said the pivot. "I don't train to be the best quarterback in Canada when next the next training camp or game comes around, I train to be the best quarterback in Canada every day. I'm going to keep training to be the best in the present moment, all the time, and when my time comes, I'll be ready."

Nicholas Pinard originally joined the Gaels in 2017 after playing CEGEP football with Champlain-Lennoxville, where he was a member of the Cougars undefeated 2015 Bol d'Or Championship squad. Pinard was a mainstay on an imposing Gaels line throughout his career, and was instrumental in clearing a path for star running back Rasheed Tucker.

Off the field, Pinard was active in the community during his time at Queen's, taking part in school visits. The Saint-Eustache, Que., product will starting his Master of Human Kinetics and is eligible to take the field for the 2022 season. 

Licandro and Pinard join offensive lineman James du Manoir as former Gaels who are now plying their trade with the Garnet and Grey.

The Gee-Gees open the 2022 season on the road against Windsor before returning to TD Place to take on Queen's on Sept. 3. The complete 2022 schedule can be found HERE.