Last week the LeRoy product committed to Ferris State University. The Big Rapids, Mich. school competes at the NCAA Division I level, the highest in U.S. college athletics, for men’s hockey.
“I look forward to the opportunity to continue my hockey career and get a degree at such a great school and great place to play,” McGrath said.
The 18-year-old son of Erin and Ramsee McGrath has had a great start in his first Broncos season. As of Sunday, he was second in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League in scoring. His strong play has helped the Broncos post a 17-5-0-0 record – the best in the league.
“Connor is a very intelligent player with the puck who thinks the game well beyond his age... His speed is very deceptive as he can change gears with the puck, which makes it hard on defenders,” Humboldt head coach Scott Barney said.
Those abilities and his strong start attracted recruiters. McGrath factored several things into his decision. “I chose Ferris because it is a great school, has a great business program, and because they have an amazing hockey program that will make me the best player that I can be,” he said.
The Bulldogs have competed in the national tournament four times since 2003. The last trip was in 2016. In 2012, Ferris State was the national runner-up. After playing for the SJHL’s Melville Millionaires, Chris Kunitz starred for the Bulldogs before a long NHL career that included four Stanley Cups. McGrath is expected to start his Ferris State career in the 2022-23 school year.
In 2018, the Weyburn Red Wings grabbed McGrath with the sixth overall pick in the SJHL Bantam Draft. He suited up for the Red Wings for three games as an affiliated player in 2019-20 and recorded an assist. McGrath had one goal in four games last winter before the COVID-19 pandemic forced the season’s cancellation.
Through 22 games this season, McGrath has 11 goals and 21 assists, the most in the league. The 5-foot-10, 150-pounder was runner-up for the SJHL’s Rookie of the Month for September/October. He was named the league’s Rookie of the Week on Oct. 11 after scoring three goals and posting nine points over four games. That honour came after McGrath grabbed the first SJHL Player of the Week award for the season with two goals and seven points over two games on opening weekend. What has allowed McGrath to be successful this season? Barney points to the time and effort the young player has put in.
“He has used the down time due to COVID very wisely to work on his game and have the start to the season he has had thus far,” the coach said.
McGrath believes being with the Broncos has benefitted him as a player.
“The coaching staff and my teammates have really pushed me to be my best self and I think that has helped my game the most,” he said.
As well, he has enjoyed the opportunity to play close to home.
“It’s been a lot of fun playing for the Broncos,” McGrath said. “Especially being a local and having the opportunity to play with such a great group of guys and for great coaches.”
McGrath said his parents are his biggest fans and supporters. “Growing up, they always made sacrifices in order to put me in a position to succeed and have always had such a big impact on me as a person and a player,” he said.
The Broncos last week
Sunday, Nov. 7 in Estevan
Humboldt 4, Estevan 2
Broncos Scorers: Rhett Gibson, Matthew Perkins, Braiden Koran, Lucas Ceccarelli
Bruins Scorers: Dayton Deics, Brandon Ambrozik
Goalies: Rayce Ramsay, Humboldt, 33 saves on 35 shots; Boston Bilous, Estevan, 18 on 21; Jackson Miller, Estevan, 2 on 2
Attendance: 692
Notes: Humboldt scored a trio of first period goals to take a 3-0 lead. Estevan cut the Broncos’ lead to 3-1 in the second. Goalie Jace Hunter of the Lumsden/Bethune U18 AA team was called up to back up Ramsay.
Friday, Nov. 12 in La Ronge
Humboldt 10, La Ronge 2
Broncos Scorers: Alex Morozoff (2), Matthew Perkins (2), Alex Saretzky (2), Connor McGrath (2), Rhett Gibson, Noah Barlage
La Ronge Scorers: Nolan Doell, Gavin Mattey
Goalies: Rayce Ramsay, Humboldt, 31 saves on 33 shots; Dawson Smith, La Ronge, 21 on 28; Kristjan Johnson, La Ronge, 11 on 14
Attendance: 675
Notes: The contest was tied 2-2 at the first intermission. The Broncos exploded for five second period goals and scored three in the third. Humboldt scored on four of its seven powerplay opportunities. The Broncos killed off all five of La Ronge’s powerplays. Perkins, Saretzky, and Lucas Ceccarelli each recorded five points on the night. Bronco Owen Evers dropped the gloves against Conrad Mitchell in the final period. Liam Stevens returned from injury to back up Ramsay. Defenceman Danton Cox was called up from the U18 AAA Prince Albert Mintos. “Chemistry within the lines is starting to gel,” head coach Scott Barney said. “We were also getting to the danger areas of the ice and in a small building, the more shots you can generate with traffic at the net ..,. led to the goals being scored and momentum into the Saturday game.”
Saturday, Nov. 13 in La Ronge
Humboldt 5, La Ronge 1
Broncos Scorers: Cage Newans (2), Logan Kurki, Braiden Koran, Connor McGrath
La Ronge Scorer: Brandon Della Paolera
Goalies: Rayce Ramsay, Humboldt, 33 saves on 34 shots; Dawson Smith, La Ronge, 33 on 38
Attendance: 400
Notes: The teams were tied at 1-1 after the first period with Humboldt scoring on a powerplay Nipawin getting its goal shorthanded. The Broncos scored three times in the second period with Newans getting two of them. Affiliated player Danton Cox recorded his first SJHL assist.
Morozoff Joins
The Humboldt Broncos added major junior experience and talent last week with its acquisition of Saskatoon’s Alex Morozoff.
The 20-year-old forward was picked up for a player development fee from the Nanaimo Clippers. In his Broncos debut last Friday, Morozoff scored two goals and recorded an assist.
“Alex has brought instant leadership into our team,” head coach Scott Barney said. “He plays hard at both ends of the ice and has added a lot more depth to our line up. Instantly you can see the offensive skill he will bring to our line up.”
Morozoff had a goal in six games for his B.C. Hockey League team. Previously, he played all or part of four seasons in the Western Hockey League. He had stints with the Red Deer Rebels, Seattle Thunderbirds and Saskatoon Blades.
The Quote
“The biggest reason for the success on the road games is the belief everyone has for each other on the ice. When you have six guys pulling in same direction, success should follow.”
— Broncos head coach Scott Barney on going 4-1 on a five-game road stretch
Notes
The Broncos top the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League standings with a 17-5-0-0 record and 34 points – four ahead of the second place Battlefords North Stars. Humboldt is 9-1 in their last 10 games. … As of Saturday, the Broncos boasted four of the league’s top five scorers: No. 2 Connor McGrath (32 points in 22 games), No. 3 Logan Kurki (31 in 19), No. 4 Alec Saretzky (30 in 22), and No. 5 Matthew Perkins (28 in 21). McGrath led the SJHL with 21 assists. … Humboldt forward Connor Casparie topped the league with 129 penalty minutes. … Goalie Rayce Ramsay was the league leader in win with 17. He has played in 21 of Humboldt’s 22 games.
The Week
The Humboldt Broncos (17-5-0-0) host the Notre Dame Hounds (10-6-1-1) on Wednesday and the Nipawin Hawks (8-9-0-2) on Saturday. The Broncos are in Wilcox to play Notre Dame on Sunday.
