RECRUIT PROFILE: Men’s hockey adds veteran goaltender Domenic Graham 

The Gee-Gees men's hockey team has completed the recruiting class ahead of the 2019-20 season, with the addition of local goaltender Domenic Graham. 

Graham joins the program following four seasons with the Nipissing Lakers, and will enroll in a master's program at the University of Ottawa while completing the final season of hockey eligibility. During the season, he'll share the crease with the returning trio of goaltenders Anthony Brodeur, Nick Hodgins and Graham Hunt. 

"I think it's a good opportunity," said Graham. "When [head coach] Patrick [Grandmaître] presented me the opportunity, it was a no-brainer. I was looking to go to the ECHL and play pro, but I think it was a no-brainier to continue my education and being a part of this great team." 

When Graham and the Lakers went up against the Gee-Gees, it was always a busy night for the 24-year-old goaltender. In five career games against the Garnet and Grey, he faced an average of 40 shots per game, with an impressive 0.925 save percentage. 

"I always knew I had to prepare and be ready, because it was going to be a battle," he said. "They come hard, relentless, competitive, and push hard, especially in the third period." 

Goaltenders coach Matt Dopud describes Graham as a goaltender with a strong ability to understand the game, read the play, and make quick reactions. 

"The main thing about him — He wants to win, he wants to compete every night," Dopud explained. "And at the end of the day, that's what you have to do as a goalie. If you have a bad game, or the team doesn't play well, you need to know how to rub it off and move on. That's one thing he's good at doing. 

"Now that he has a little bit more structure with our game, it's going to help his game big time," he said. 

Graham joined the team at the start of training camp, and made his Garnet and Grey debut in Germany, appearing in games against Deggendorfer SC and Dresdner Eislöwen. It didn't take long to adjust to playing alongside his new teammates. His strong play against Deggendorfer SC endeared himself to the home crowd, and led a chant with supporters post-game. 

"It was easier to focus on those opportunities and make those stops," he said. "It was a crazy atmosphere in Germany. I found the fans were unbelievable there." 

Graham and the Gee-Gees will continue to prepare for the regular season with their final preseason tune-up, slated for Saturday at 2 p.m. against the University of Toronto on home ice. 

The regular season begins on October 3 with a trip to Montreal to take on McGill. Ottawa's home opener is set for Friday, October 18 against the Western Mustangs. 

Tickets for all Gee-Gees home games are available at tickets.geegees.ca. 

Previously announced 2019-20 men's hockey recruits:

Connor Brown-Maloski (Bemidji, NCAA) 

Martin Frechette (Vermont, NCAA) 

Nick Mattinen (Oshawa, OHL) 

Daniel Hardie (Charlottetown, QMJHL) 

Dominic Cormier (Victoriaville, QMJHL)