(FREDERICTON, NB) Goaltender Griffen Outhouse is joining the UNB Reds men’s hockey team.
Outhouse, a veteran of four seasons and 196 regular season games with the Western Hockey League’s Victoria Royals, split the 2019-20 season between the Manitoba Moose, of the American Hockey League, and the Jacksonville Icemen, of the East Coast Hockey League.
“I’m looking forward to getting a degree in Fredericton and playing for the top university team in Canada,” said Outhouse. “The success UNB has had in the past ten years is next to none.”
The 22-year-old native of Williams Lake, BC, appeared in nine games for the Icemen last season and five for the Moose, the top affiliate of the NHL’s Winnipeg Jets.
In his four seasons with the Royals, Outhouse posted a 114-60-7 record.
In his rookie season in Victoria, he posted the top save percentage in the CHL. In following seasons, he earned team MVP, Hardest Worker and Fan Favourite awards.
“My biggest strength as an athlete is my competitiveness,” he said. “I take pride in never giving up on a play. I’m a pretty outgoing person and I enjoy being around the rink, hanging with my teammates. Being a goalie, it’s important to be close to your team, as they’re the ones putting their body on the line to block a shot.”
In 2014, Outhouse backstopped the Cariboo Cougars to the title at the prestigious Macs AAA Midget Tournament, and was named the tournament’s top goaltender.
“Griffen was a top-notch goalie in the WHL and an outstanding team and community leader,” said Reds head coach Gardiner MacDougall. “We’ve been very fortunate to have had a history of outstanding goaltending here at UNB, and he’ll have a great opportunity to continue that tradition once he completes his red-shirt year.”
MacDougall says Outhouse compliments one of the best goaltending tandems in U SPORTS men’s hockey.
“Our present goalie combination just completed a fantastic season,” he said. “Rylan Parenteau is going into his fourth year of Engineering while Sam Harvey, the Atlantic University Sport playoff MVP, has fast-tracked his degree and will be eligible to graduate in the spring.”
“Griffen is a great addition to our program,” said Reds goalie coach Kyle MacDonald. “He has a highly competitive mindset and work ethic, and a strong athletic base. He’s shown continued improvement throughout his career, and we’re looking forward to helping him continue his high-performance development.”
Competition in the AUS has been suspended until at least January 1st, due to the global pandemic. But the Reds are expected to return to the ice later this month, in anticipation of a January return to play. Outhouse will be able to practice with the team and is looking forward to “doing whatever I can to help the team achieve its goals for the season.”
Griffen is the second member of the Outhouse family to bring athletic talents east. His sister, Paige, will be a first-year forward with the UPEI Panthers.
He plans on pursuing a Business degree while attending UNB.