As excitement grows, in their 3rd season, the Wentworth Gryphin Senior AAA Hockey Team has already established a great, supportive following
Cambridge, ON – With a highly dedicated group of athletes who have achieved not only professional hockey status in Europe ,in the U.S.A., and also University Scholarships, their plan is to take a serious ‘run’ after the oldest hockey championship in Canada, The Allan Cup Challenge, to be played during the week of April 20-26, 2025, at the Harry Howell Arena in Waterdown , Ontario.
With a strong league presence, the Gryphins have been highly competitive since inception, in 2022, thanks mainly to the keen leadership of Evan McGrath, a former high draft pick of the Detroit Red Wings. As it has been his successful responsibility to build a forceful team, he has been mainly supported by a group of skilled hockey enthusiasts in President, Nathan Gatt , General Manager Grant Zilliotto and Coaches Mark Zilliotto and Peter Flood, and owner Rod Millard.
Key to the Gryphin player successes has been their development of meaningful ‘team’ relationships, a complete understanding of the critical roles they play on the team and the satisfaction of ‘ WINNING’ results. These core values,” relationships, responsibilities, and results” are the same as the values in place at the Financial Services/Wealth Management company Millard founded in 1998, The Gryphin Advantage.
“Our goal in establishing a hockey team here in Waterdown, was certainly to build a winning team , but more important, we wanted to create memorable dynamic experiences for the players, the community and our clients,” explains Millard. Toward that end, he has completely refurbished a dressing room at the Harry Howell arena to rival what the players were used to in their pro experiences.. With new uniforms ,gear and supplies, equipment Managers Chris Collier and son William provide the quality support the players have become accustomed to. Our Facilities Co-Ordinator, Danielle Mac Donald, is arguably the best on the planet and our Trainer was recognized as the best in the league last year, Duane Butler.
“But beyond the ‘hands on’ efforts, we believe Shy’s Place to be instrumental in creating a Championship spirit,” Millard passionately proclaims. Less than a kilometer from Harry Howell and across the street from Millard’s Financial Services Company, he bought an 1896 heritage home and re-purposed this home into a restaurant/ small convention center known as , Shy’s Place. A wall to wall salute to Lloyd Millard (nick name Shy), the Father of Gryphin team owner, Rod, the décor in the restaurant is gallery style and a tribute to his Father’s otherworldly collection of an history in hockey, baseball and life .
With over 1000 collectibles, included among others are Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig and Mickey Mantle baseball cards and many baseball newspaper articles including the ‘92 and ‘93 Blue Jays . Hundreds of hockey cards from the 30’s, 40’s,50’s and 60’s are prominently displayed on the walls..Dozens of newspaper articles including columns on every Stanley Cup the Leafs have ever won. The Royal Family, the Kennedy’s and dozens of stories from a place we only hear about can be viewed easily on the walls of Shy’s Place.
“After every practice or game, our team shares that electric team bond in a fabulous setting, Shy’s Place. The athletes love the comradery, the food and something no other team has, ‘their place to hang as a team’.” Millard reports with heart.
This coming year, as their legacy builds, The Wentworth Gryphins are proud to host the Allan Cup Challenge .“Please join the team at the rink where we can ‘rev’ them up, then join them for a victory refreshment at their meeting place….Shy’s place.
