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Born in Kingston, Jamaica, the 43 year old Townshend moved to Toronto at the age of 3. Played one year of Junior hockey for the Mimico Monarchs of the O.H.A Central Jr. B.As the #2 recruited player in North America, Townshend turned down offers from 14 schools, including Michigan, Michigan State and Cornell, to accept a full scholarship from #1 ranked and defending NCAA Division 1 Frozen Four Champion, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI).As captain at RPI, Townshend, recruited as a forward, led all RPI defensemen in scoring and was one of the top scoring defensemen in the ECACHL as a Junior. After scoring 22 points in his senior year, Townshend signed with the Boston Bruins in the NHL then went on to play parts of 5 seasons with the Bruins, N.Y. Islanders and Ottawa Senators. Townshend played 686 professional games, scoring 227 goals and 208 assists for 435 points while playing in the NHL, AHL, IHL and WPHL. Townshend went on to coach 3 years professionally in Macon, GA and Greensboro, NC. During his 13 professional experience, Townshend also owned and operated the nationally acclaimed GTP Hockey Schools, with specialty camps in N.Y., Maine, Texas, Alaska, Colorado and Alberta. Many of Townshends students went onto play NCAA Hockey. Some of Townshends former students include former University of Maine and NHLer’s Peter and Chris Ferraro, Boston Bruins Defensemen Matt Lashoff and Paul Mara to name a few.
Townshend is currently the Skating and Skills Coach for the NHL’s Toronto Maple Leafs (one of only 3 in the NHL). His main responsibility is to prepare all Maple Leafs players and prospects for the skills required for the “new” NHL, with the primary focus being skating skills. Every player in the Maple Leafs organization is trained under Townshend’s watchful eye. Graeme is currently the only skating and skills coach in the world who has played, coached and taught at every level of hockey there is. From youth hockey to the Canadian Junior Hockey ranks to NCAA Div. 1 College to Europe to the NHL, Mr. Townshend has the experience to know what truly works and what does not work. "One of my most frustrating experiences was being taught in college by a guy with a figure skating background who had no idea of the challenges I was facing on the ice. I've seen some things being taught (that really do not work) by other nationally known instructors who have absolutely no practical playing experience." says Mr. Townshend. Townshend was recently inducted into the Canadian Black Hockey Hall of Fame in August of 2006, along with the likes of Anson Carter and Herb Carnegie and Willie O’Ree.
Townshend’s Former Students:
Peter Ferraro
Brad Boyes
Brad Richards - Stanley Cup Champ,
Playoff MVP, World Cup Champ, Canadian Hockey League National Champ
Mathieu Biron
Jay Pandolpho - 2 time Stanley
Cup Champ, NCAA National Champ
Nils Ekman
Niko Dimitrakos
Jon DiSalvatore
Tom Priessing
Josh Langfeld
Alyn McAuley
Mike Ricci
Matt Murley
Dave Morrisette
Our marketing staff may contact you regarding the products that Townshend Hockey Skating Systems are offering. This contact is completely authorized - however, the only place to register is on our website or by contacting Graeme directly.
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