David Urquhart is also head coach at McGill University. Photo Supplied.
When the World Winter University Games begin Monday in Torino, Italy two Niagara natives will be representing the Canada’s Men’s Hockey team.
Niagara Falls native Kurtis Henry is a defenseman on the team, while Thorold’s David Urquhart is a member of the team’s coaching staff.
Urquhart is the current head coach of the McGill Redbirds, but Italy is where the now 40-year old finished his playing career.
“I’m looking forward to going back there” said Urquhart who played his junior hockey with the then Thorold Blackhawks and Welland Cougars before moving on to McGill and playing four seasons in Montréal.
“We’re actually staying in a town about 15 minutes from where I started playing pro hockey in Italy.
Urquhart is fluent in three languages, English, French and Italian.
From Italy he played parts of three seasons in both the AHL and ECHL before heading overseas to Italy.
Urquhart began his coaching career at McGill as an assistant, then had stints in Serbia as a head coach and assistant coaching duties in San Diego of the AHL before taking over at McGill as head coach in 2021.
He says the Canadian University (U Sports) all-stars will play a similar style they did against Canada’s World Junior team in December exhibition action, at the World University Games.
“The style of play we played allows you to have success against any team, anywhere,” Urquhart said. “That’s the style of play we’ll have with FISU Team Canada in Italy.
It’s finishing every check, stopping on every puck, having a relentless forecheck, and coming back hard on the track to the defensive zone.”
Henry played for the Fort Erie Meteors and Niagara Falls Canucks before moving on to the OHL and playing three seasons with the Erie Otters.
After his junior career ended, Henry took his talents to the University of Prince Edward Island where he’s currently playing his fourth season.
The 2025 FISU Games return to their birthplace of Torino for the first time since 2007. Six municipalities will host 11 sports over the course of 11 days of competition between January 13 to 23.
FISU World University Winter Games in Italy’s Piemonte region. Alpine skiing, snowboarding, and freestyle will be in Bardonecchia, Pragelato will host cross-country skiing, biathlon, and the optional sport of ski orienteering, Pinerolo and Torre Pellice will welcome ice hockey, the other optional sport of ski mountaineering will be held in Sestriere, while competition in figure skating, short track speed skating, curling, and ice hockey will be held in Torino.
For the first time at the FISU Games Winter, Para student-athletes will compete as events will be held in both alpine and cross-country skiing.
For more information, visit fisu.net.
Rod Mawhood is a lifelong Niagara native who has had the pleasure of working in all three mediums – Radio, Print and TV – for over 20 years. His first announcing gig was with the then St. Catharines Stompers. Since then he’s worked in radio and TV in Toronto, and currently is the announcer for the Niagara IceDogs and Niagara River Lions.
Rod also covers the Buffalo Bills for FOX Sports and the Buffalo Sabres for NBC Sports.
