Six Warriors represent Canada at the World University Games

From top to bottom and left to right: Brian Bourque, Trevor Black, Ari Grossman, Rachel Marriott, Mike Moffat and Stephanie Sluys.

Six Warriors have embarked on the journey of a lifetime to represent Canada in Almaty, Kazakhstan for the 2017 Winter Universiade Games, held by the International University Sports Federation (FISU), from January 29 to February 8. 

Ari Grossman, associate director of business operations for Waterloo Athletics was named Chef de Mission for the Canadian delegation. Warriors’ hockey coach, Brian Bourque will serve as general manager and associate coach of men’s hockey, while Trevor Black, coordinator of equipment services for the Warriors, will be the equipment manager for men’s hockey in Kazakhstan. They will join Waterloo student hockey athletes Rachel Marriott, Stephanie Sluys and Mike Moffat in the world’s second largest sporting event, next to the Olympics.

This is Grossman’s fifth time attending the FISU Games, having served on the communications staff for four consecutive Games. 

“I’m excited to once again represent Canada on the international stage and look forward to working with our top calibre student-athletes, coaches, and support staff as they strive for excellence,” said Grossman.  “I’m also thrilled to have five other Warriors joining me for this very memorable experience.”

For head coach of the men’s hockey program Brian Bourque, this marks the second tour of duty. In 2011, he was the general manager of Canada’s bronze medal-winning squad in Erzurum, Turkey. 

"You just can't turn down a chance to represent your country," said Bourque. "This is under the Hockey Canada umbrella, and it's a chance to compete in an international competition. It's exciting."

Joining Bourque on the men’s hockey team is coordinator of equipment services and long-serving equipment manager of the Warriors men’s hockey program Trevor Black. Black's high-energy approach to every piece of his job is known around the league, and Bourque thinks his attentiveness makes him perfect for the Team Canada job.

"Over the past 10 years, Trevor has earned a reputation in the OUA as a relentless worker who pays attention to every detail," said Bourque. "This opportunity for him is well deserved."

Waterloo student hockey athletes trade their black and gold for red and white

Suiting up in the red and white as part of the men’s hockey team will be Mike Moffat who was named to the 22-man roster on January 6 after a selection camp that took place over the Christmas holidays.

Moffat, a third-year Kinesiology student, has six assists and 29 penalty minutes in 15 games in the current season. He's coming off back-to-back seasons where he's earned postseason accolades

Head coach Shuan Reagan was also selected to be an assistant coach of team Canada’s women’s team but had to bow out since he is expecting his first child at the same time as the Games. 

“I am extremely proud of our strong representation at the World University Games and I know all six Warriors who are heading out to Kazakhstan will wear the maple leaf with great pride,” said director of athletics and recreation Roly Webster.  “It’s a great honour to be able to represent the University of Waterloo on the international stage, and I know all six will make the most of this adventure.”

The Universiade is an international multi-sport competition that takes place every two years. The event, which is second only to the Olympics in number of participating athletes and countries, is open to competitors between the ages of 17 and 28 in the year of the games who are full-time students at a post-secondary institution (university, college, cegep) or have graduated from a post-secondary institution in the year preceding the games.

There will be 122 Canadians attending the 2017 Winter Universiade which includes 88 student-athletes and 34 mission and support staff in six sports — biathlon, cross country skiing, alpine skiing, snowboard, along with men’s and women’s teams in hockey and curling.