Rams men's hockey coach Graham Wise announces retirement after 35-year career

TORONTO - Following a 35-year career behind the bench, including 29 as a head coach, in Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS), Ryerson University men's hockey Head Coach Graham Wise has announced his retirement, effective September 1, 2016.

Wise, who has spent the last 10 years as the head coach of the Rams, is one of the most successful coaches in CIS history and will finish his career at Ryerson in second place on the list of CIS career coaching wins. In 29 seasons with Ryerson and York University, Wise compiled a record of 407-387-55 (includes conference, conference playoff and CIS University Cup games only). He is also the longest serving men's hockey coach in CIS history.

"Graham Wise is an outstanding educator, mentor and coach in the CIS," said Dr. Ivan Joseph, Director of Athletics at Ryerson University.  "Graham has devoted over 35 years of his life to the sport of hockey and the mentorship of others. He has been a great contributor to our department and will be missed by the university and his colleagues."  

During his time with Ryerson, Wise transformed a Rams program that had struggled to find continued success into a consistent playoff contender. In 2009-10, Wise led Ryerson to the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) East semi-finals after finishing with the second highest win total in team history. The Rams qualified for the playoffs for the first time in seven seasons and surprised the third seed Toronto Varsity Blues in the opening round, claiming their first playoff series victory since 2002. At the end of the season, Wise was named OUA East Coach of the Year. 

In 2013-14, Wise led the Rams to their best finish in Ryerson history, finishing third in the OUA West with a 17-11 record. Wise was named the OUA West Coach of the Year as the team set new program records for most wins and most points in a season.

In 2010-11, Wise guided the Rams to one of their best ever starts with a 4-1 record, helping the team crack the CIS weekly Top 10 media poll on October 19, 2010.  Ryerson had only received votes twice previously in the team's history, and had never been ranked in 444 polls from 1979-80 to 2009-10. The Rams were nationally ranked five more times during Wise's tenure.

Known as a strong recruiter, Wise has coached eight OUA all-stars and all-rookie selections in his 10 seasons at Ryerson. In 2013-14, the program picked up its first ever all-Canadian accolades when Jamie Wise was named a second team CIS all-Canadian and Domenic Alberga was selected to the CIS all-rookie team. Five Rams have also been invited to National Hockey League (NHL) prospects camps in the last two years.

Prior to joining the Rams, Wise enjoyed a sparkling 19-year career with the York Yeomen/Lions where he led his team to two OUA championships and a pair of CIS University Cup national titles. Wise won three OUA coach of the Year awards during his time at York.

Source: Ryerson Rams