A helpful guide for any hockey parents/agents interested in our program for their 16-20 year old son/client. Our program is suited for any 16-20 year old hockey player that is looking to continue their development to the "next level" (OHL,NCAA,CIS, and etc). Our official website for more information (copy and paste): http://stcatharinesfalcons.pointstreaksites.com/view/stcatharinesfalcons/home-page-390 Original author: Wes Wolfe (16-17 recruitment guide) Secondary author: AJ Wolske

1. RECRUITING
GUIDE
2018-19
FALCONS
ST. CATHARINES
Follow Us: @StCathFalcons

2. PROGRAMOUR
The St. Catharines Falcons are one of the most storied organizations in the Golden
Horseshoe Conference of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League (GOJHL); one of
the top development leagues in North America. We pride ourselves on offering players
a first-class experience while developing the skills and mindset needed to move on to
both college and major junior hockey as successful student-athletes. We provide a
wide range of resources that are above-and-beyond what many other programs pro-
vide. In return, our coaches and community place a high value on character, commit-
ment and accountability while working towards both Golden Horseshoe and Sutherland
Cup Championships.
The Falcons recent accomplishments include a Sutherland Cup Provincial Junior “B”
Championship in 2012 and appearances as finalists in 2013 and 2014. The impressive
list of alumni continues to grow every year with players moving on to higher levels of
hockey including the OHL, NCAA and CIS.
Being a junior hockey player in St. Catharines is an experience unlike any other in the
GOJHL. Falcons fans and volunteers have earned a reputation for being passionate
and loyal, keeping the spirit and historical significance of the Jack Gatecliff Arena alive.
Below is a summary of the first-class benefits and development opportunities players
receive from the St. Catharines Falcons GOJHL Hockey Club:
• Professional coaching and executive management
• Certified athletic therapist and equipment managers
• STEVA video technology for both team and individual development and instruc-
tion
• All games broadcast live and archived on FAST Hockey
• Exposure to wide variety of professional, collegiate and major junior scouts and
coaches
• Room and board with a billet family
• Equipment including skates, sticks, helmets/visors, gloves, pants and other pro-
tective gear
• Gym membership
• Academic advisor & information on scholarship and bursary opportunities
• Team laundry services
• Nutrition/supplies during practices/games including snacks, granola bars, Ga-
torade, tape, laces, etc.
• Players lounge for down time, studying and hanging out with teammates
• Free skate sharpening
• Team building and life experiences including guest speakers and Chapel

3. LEAGUEOUR
The Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League and its 27 member teams pride them-
selves on creating a positive environment for young athletes to develop as hockey
players and as people. Over 1500 players have graduated to play in the OHL, NCAA,
CIS and professional hockey.
Some GOJHL alumni that play or have played in the NHL include Jeff Carter, Tanner
Pearson, Boone Jenner, Mark Scheifele, Matt Moulson, Rob Blake, Thomas McCollum,
Adam Henrique, Adam Mair, Bryan Little, Marty Turco, Ryan Jones, Kevin Westgarth,
Dan Bylsma, Dennis Wideman, Brian Campbell, Steve Mason, Joel Quenneville, Ed
Jovanovski, Kyle Wellwood, DJ Smith, TJ Brodie, Tim Gleason, Zach Kassian, Steve Ott,
Brandon Prust, Matt Read, Logan Couture, Joe Thornton, Nathan Horton, Cal Clutter-
buck, Dan Girardi, Ray Emery, Matt Ellis, Dan Paille, Zenon Konopka, John Scott along
with the Falcons own Riley Sheahan and Daultan Leveille – plus many, many more.
RILEY SHEAHAN ST CATHARINES FALCONS—NOTRE DAME NCAA D1—GRAND RAPIDS AHL—DETROIT NHL

4. HISTORYOUR
The St. Catharines Falcons are proud to be celebrating their 51st year of serving up
the finest Junior B Hockey entertainment available.
It all started prior to 1968 when a group of dedicated hockey people began to look for
an outlet to give St. Catharines Minor Hockey graduates an opportunity to play Junior
Hockey. In the fall of 1968, their efforts bore fruit when the Falcons skated into action.
With the Falcons off and skating, it opened doorways to Major Junior, University and
professional scouting. The Falcon organization, from the Directors Room to the Dress-
ing Room, has built a Falcon Red Tradition. That Falcon Red Tradition has established
a position of strength that has given the organization the opportunity to attract quality
Managers, Coaches, Volunteers and most importantly, hockey talent that continues to
serve the community well.
Over 500 players have worn the Falcon Red over the past 51 years, each in their own
way contributing to make the St. Catharines Falcons a respected hockey organization
throughout the amateur, professional and scholastic hockey ranks.
Falcon Red Tradition, Flying High
FALCONS EXECUTIVE
The Falcons have a strong board of directors with roles that are executed with pride and
professionalism to provide a strong foundation to thrive on for years to come.

5. STAFFOUR
FRANK GIRHINY—GENERAL MANAGER/HEAD COACH
Entering his eighth season with the Falcons as their General Manager and Head Coach, Girhiny lead the
Falcons to five consecutive Golden Horseshoe Finals (two championships) as well as leading the Falcons
to their first Sutherland Cup Championship in 2012. He was also General Manager for the Thorold Black-
hawks first and only Sutherland Cup in 2005. Girhiny has coached in the GOJHL All Star games in 2011,
2012 and 2014. A High Performance Certified Coach, Girhiny has also coached in the Ontario Hockey
League with the Niagara Ice Dogs as an assistant. He has an extensive minor hockey back ground
where he coached two Minor Midget teams to the OHL Cup. In the two years Girhiny coached Minor
Midget, he had 15 players drafted to the Ontario Hockey League. The Niagara Falls native has worked
in hockey for many years. The current Molson Coors Sales rep worked for the Professional Hockey Play-
ers Association (minor league players union) as well worked as a Pro Rep with Bauer Hockey (where he
worked partnerships with NCAA D1 programs in the Hockey East and ECAC). Frank and his wife Jeannie
reside in Thorold and have a daughter, Chantal and two sons Frankie and Christian.
GREG CAPPELLARO—ASSISTANT GM/DIRECTOR OF PLAYER PER-
SONNEL
Cappellaro, enters his 2nd season with the Falcons. Previously, he was with the Brock University Badg-
ers for 17 seasons from 2000 to 2017 in several capacities including assistant coach, consultant and
Head Scout. He started his hockey career with the London Knights of the Ontario Hockey League in
1994-95 and was in various roles including Hockey Operations Assistant, Assistant Coach and Scout
until 1999-00. During that time the Knights won a Western Conference Championship and were OHL
Finalists. During the 2000-01 season, he was the General Manager of the Lake Charles Ice Pirates of
the Western Professional Hockey League. The Thorold, Ontario native is a graduate from both Brock
University with a Bachelor of Arts Degree and Durham College with a Diploma in Sports Administration.
SCOTT SWEITZER—ASSISTANT COACH
Scott enters his fourth season as an Assistant with the Falcons. A graduate of the GOJHL with the
Thorold Blackhawks, Sweitzer also played Jr. A for the Wexford Raiders and Bramalea Blues before also
joining the University of Guelph (CIS). Scott and his wife Adriana currently reside in St. Catharines with
their newborn son, James.

6. STAFFOUR
CHRIS MCLEAN—ASSISTANT COACH
McLean won a Sutherland Cup with the Thorold Jr. B Blackhawks before playing four years at Brock
University as an Academic All Canadian while making one appearance at the CIS National Champion-
ships in 2008. McLean has been coaching in the Niagara region for 6 years accumulating an OHF Silver
medal, OMHA Gold medal, two OMHA Bronze medals, and a SOSSA Championship with Lakeshore Cath-
olic High School. McLean also assisted the Brock University Men’s Hockey team as the Defenseman De-
velopment Coach in 2016-2017 season. McLean is currently employed with the Niagara Catholic District
School Board as the Niagara Link teacher located out of Niagara College. McLean is excited to join the
St.Catharines Jr. B Falcons as an assistant coach for the 2018-2019 season.
JACK DAVISON—ASSISTANT COACH
Jack will be responsible for video as well as assisting team practices on the ice. He currently serves as a
video analyst at Stathletes Inc. in St. Catharines where he breaks down NHL, CHA, NCAA, and other
professional league games with emphasis on advanced analytics. Jack played for Picton Pirates of the
PJHL from 2009-2014, where he won a Schmalz Cup during the 2012-13 season. Immediately following
his playing career, Jack served as an Assistant coach with the Pirates for the 2014-2015 season. He was
also an Assistant coach with the OJHL Wellington Dukes during the 2015-16 season.
NICK GIGONE—GOALTENDING COACH
Nick enters his fourth season as the goaltending coach for the Falcons. A former backstopper with the
Port Colborne Pirates (GOJHL) for three seasons and the Orangeville Crushers (OJHL) for two seasons.
Immediately after hanging up the pads, Nick began coaching as an assistant with the Port Colborne
Pirates from 2011-2013 before joining the Falcons organization. As a goaltending mentor, Nick has
trained various goalies such as Owen Savory and Cam Gray that have successfully graduated to NCAA
D1 programs. Additionally, Nick travels throughout North America mentoring various goalies in hockey
camps through their continuing development. Nick is currently happily married and resides in Fort Erie.
RICK GIRHINY—ASSOCIATE COACH
Rick enters his eighth season as a coach with the Falcons. A graduate of the GOJHL, Girhiny had a nota-
ble professional career where his leadership, heart and soul, and willingness to do whatever it took to
win earned him the admiration of every franchise he played for. His #7 became the first sweater retired
by the Odessa Jackalopes of the West Professional Hockey League. Rick and his wife Danielle currently
reside in St. Catharines.
AJ WOLSKE—DIRECTOR OF HOCKEY ADMINISTRATION
Wolske was a part of the Thorold Blackhawks (GOJHL) staff last season as Director of Hockey Opera-
tions, helping to maintain and mold the organizational identity of the club. Additionally, Wolske was a
part of the Niagara North Stars AAA (SCTA) organization last season as a team manager overseeing the
management of the Minor Atom club. He has previous volunteer experience with the Newmarket Hurri-
canes Jr A (OJHL) club in minor hockey operational roles from 2015-2016. Heralding from Newmarket,
Ontario, AJ currently studies Sports Management at Niagara College Niagara-on-the-Lake campus.

7. STAFFOUR
BRAD JACKSON—SKILLS DEVELOPMENT COACH
STEVE GIRHINY—VIDEO
JAMIE FERGUSON—VIDEO
LEN FERRARO— HEAD ATHLETIC THERAPIST
DAVE HOMINUCK—TRAINER
SEAN BURROWS—STATISTICIAN
LAWRENCE BUSCH—EQUIPMENT
LARRY DESLAURIER —EQUIPMENT

8. CITYOUR
The City of St. Catharines strives to recognize and meet the diverse needs of its citi-
zens, making the Garden City a great place to live for young and old, families and indi-
viduals alike. It is a place known for its friendliness, charm and pride - characteristics
that stem from its identity as The Garden City.
With a population of over 130,000, the City of St. Catharines provides a unique home
for a Junior organization in which the players have an opportunity to play a major role
in the lives of the people of St. Catharines throughout the season.
The Falcons play a major role in the community as one of the main sources of enter-
tainment along with the Niagara Ice Dogs (OHL) and Brock University athletics (OUA).
The community has seen recent developments such as a brand new Performing Arts
Centre and the Meridian Centre Sports and Entertainment complex. Student-Athletes
are also encouraged to explore their options at nearby Brock University, Niagara Col-
lege or one of St. Catharines’ six secondary school institutions.
The community has a variety of restaurants and attractions and is in close proximity to
the Niagara Falls, one of the seven natural wonders of the world.

9. COMMITMENTOUR
The St. Catharines Falcons provide a first-class program that allows players to develop
as complete hockey players. As the main tenant of the Jack Gatecliff Arena, the team
provides the following opportunities:
• Access to minimum of three weekly on-ice practices
• A full 50-game GOJHL schedule, including 2 games at the GOJHL Showcase in
front of over 100 college, major junior and pro scouts
• Additional ice for goalie instruction or player skill development
• Gym membership
• Full access to certified athletic therapists and trainers
• Team and one-on-one video sessions

10. 2017-18 ALUMNI HIGHLIGHTS
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR 2002-BIRTH YEAR FALCONS AFFILIATE PLAYERS DRAFTED IN THE OHL PRIORITY SELECTION!
SPENCER SMITH, 47th OVERALL GUELPH STORM ETHAN SIMS, 92nd OVERALL NIAGARA ICE DOGS
2012-2013 FALCONS GRADUATE ANDREW STURTZ WAS SIGNED TO AN ENTRY-LEVEL CONTRACT BY THE OTTAWA SENATORS OR-
GANIZATION (NHL) ON MARCH 28TH 2018!
2014-15 FALCONS ROOKIE OF THE YEAR CONOR TIMMINS WAS SELECTED TO REPRESENT CANADA AT THE WORLD JUNIOR
HOCKEY CHAMPIONSHIP IN BUFFALO. CONOR MADE A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT HELPING LEAD THE TEAM TO GOLD!
2016-2017 FALCONS GRADUATE GREG DI TOMASO WAS NAMED TO THE OUA ALL ROOKIE TEAM AFTER A TREMEDOUS ROOKIE
SEASON WITH THE RYERSON RAMS PROGRAM!
2017-2018 FALCONS GRADUATE OWEN SAVORY ANNOUCED HIS COMMITMENT TO RPI MEN’S NCAA D1 HOCKEY PROGRAM ON
DECEMBER 4TH 2017!
MANY, MANY MORE!
ANDREW STURTZ—PENN STATE UNIVERSITY (NCAA
D1)
ST. CATHARINES FALCONS 2011-2013
CONOR TIMMINS—COLARADO AVALANCHE (NHL)
ST. CATHARINES FALCONS 2014-2015
GREG DI TOMASO—RYERSON RAMS (CIS)
ST. CATHARINES FALCONS 2016-2017
RYAN STAYNER—BUFFALO STATE COLLEGE (NCAA
D3)
ST. CATHARINES FALCONS 2013-2014
OWEN SAVORY—RPI ENGINEERS (NCCA D1)
ST. CATHARINES FALCONS 2016-2018
LUKE KARAIM—WESTERN MUSTANGS (CIS)
ST. CATHARINES FALCONS 2008-2013
FOR A FULL LIST OF FALCONS ALUMNI VISIT STCATHARINESFALCONS.CA