The Ontario Tech men’s hockey team is excited to announce the commitment of Soo Greyhounds goaltender Samuel Ivanov.
Drafted in the first round (4th overall) by the Soo Greyhounds in the 2020 U18 Priority Selection, the Richmond Hill, Ont. native played two seasons in the OHL, playing to a 31-27-5-3 record along with a 4.03 goals-against average and a 0.864 save percentage over 77 games played.
“Obviously goaltending is so important and you want to build from the back out. With Leif Hertz graduating it was important to get another quality goaltender and I think we found that in Sam,” said head coach Curtis Hodgins. “There’s tremendous upside here. Big goalie, very athletic and from only 35 minutes up the road. Sam will fit in well with our program on and off the ice and we’re looking forward to some big things from him.”
“We think he’s got so much upside. He played 80 games in the OHL in the last two years, has a 6’3 frame and tremendous athleticism. U SPORTS will be a different setting for him compared to what he’s faced the last two years, but he’s going to be a great fit with the program and provide some great top-end goaltending.”
Along with his veteran experience, Ivanov brings size to the Ridgebacks net standing at 6-foot-3. The netminder spoke on bringing his play back close to home and being around his family again.
“I’m very excited. I think this is an important opportunity and new chapter in my life,” said Ivanov. “I came here for a tour and saw how friendly the environment was, met the coaches and saw how they’re going to push me in the future, so I thought the right decision was to come here.”
“It’s unbelievable to be this close to home. I was away for two years and rarely saw them (family), so having them this close and supporting me every day is going to be huge.”
For more details, visit goridgebacks.com
The Ontario Tech men’s hockey team have added Samuel Ivanov from the OHL’s Soo Greyhounds for the 2023 season.
The 6’3 goaltender played 80 games over the last two seasons with the Greyhounds.https://t.co/zLHAy24cfM
— Ontario Tech Ridgebacks (@OT_Ridgebacks) May 15, 2023
