Gross returning to Regina hockey
May 20, 2010 - Regina Leader-Post
By Ian Hamilton
Cody Gross plans to take police studies at the University of Regina, but he also may create some chemistry.
The 20-year-old product of Winnipeg has agreed to join the U of R Cougars men's hockey team, which recently also recruited Matt Strueby. The two forwards played together previously with the WHL's Regina Pats.
"I was pretty close with Matt," Gross said Wednesday. "We played together a bit. It was nothing too substantial, but I think we'd have some chemistry if we played together."
Whether that happens will be determined in the fall, but the fact remains that Gross is returning to Regina to continue his hockey career.
"I'm super-excited about it," said Gross, who played with the Pats during the 2007-08 WHL season. "When I played for the Pats, I loved the city. I just can't wait to get back there. It's a good fit for me. It's close to home; it's only six hours away (by vehicle).
"I was a little skeptical when I first heard from (Cougars head coach Blaine Sautner). But once I saw the new rink (at the Co-operators Centre), that really sealed the deal. The police studies program that I'm going to take was the icing on the cake."
Gross -- who suggested he also heard from Queen's, York, Dalhousie and Ottawa -- is a 6-foot-0, 185-pound centre who played parts of four seasons in the WHL. Aside from the Pats, he also had stints with the Prince Albert Raiders, Red Deer Rebels and Calgary Hitmen.
Last season, he was sent from the Hitmen to the MJHL's Winnipeg Saints, who subsequently traded him to the SJHL's Melville Millionaires. His single-season career high is just 10 goals, but Sautner said injuries limited Gross's playing time with top-end players.
"He brings a lot of skill, which is something we need," Sautner said. "He's pretty responsible without the puck, too. When you look for skill, you also look for guys who are good on both sides of the puck."
Gross knows he'll have to improve his strength to compete with the men who play in Canada West, but he figures he's got the speed and work ethic necessary to survive in the university ranks.
"It's one of the most under-rated leagues in the world," Gross said of the CIS. "I know I'm going to have to earn my ice time and work hard to contribute to the team."
In addition to Gross, the Cougars also have landed forward Lucas Isley and defenceman Jordan Reeve.
Isley, 20, had 152 points in 175 career regular-season games with his hometown Bonnyville Pontiacs of the AJHL. He recorded 26 points over 24 regular-season games in 2009-10 -- his campaign was interrupted by a broken arm -- and managed seven points in seven playoff games.
"He's really gritty and plays in the tough areas," Sautner said of Isley, who had a four-game stint with the Western Michigan University Broncos in 2008-09 before returning home. "He also puts up numbers every year. He's a point-a-game guy."
Reeve, a 20-year-old Reginan, spent the past three seasons with the SJHL's Melville Millionaires. A ruptured spleen two seasons ago and an injured knee this past season have limited his playing time.
"When he's in the lineup, he has been a point-a-game guy," Sautner said. "He could probably run our power play down the line, but he's also pretty solid in his own end."