Born in Kingston, Jamaica, the 41 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 Player Development Coordinator
for the NHL’s San Jose Sharks (one of only 3 in
the NHL). His main responsibility is to prepare all
sharks players and prospects for the skills required
for the “new” NHL, with the primary focus
being skating skills. Every player in the Sharks organization
is trained under Townshend’s watchful eye, including
the NHL’s reigning MVP and Maurice Rocket Richard
(NHL’s leading goal scorer) Trophy winner, Joe
Thornton and Jonathan Cheechoo respectively.
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:
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NY Rangers
Peter Ferraro
Chris Ferraro
Rich Brennan
Boston Bruins
Brad Boyes
Paul Mara
Matt Lashoff
Wayne Primeau
Marco Sturm
Brad Stuart
Tampa Bay Lightning
Brad Richards- Stanley Cup Champ, Playoff MVP, World
Cup Champ, Canadian Hockey League National Champ.
Martin St. Louis- Stanley Cup Champ, NHL MVP
Gordie Dwyer
Kyle Federich
Ryan Tobler
Washington Capitals
Mathieu Biron
Darcy Verot
NJ Devils
Jay Pandolpho- 2 time Stanley Cup Champ, NCAA National
Champ
Jim Fahey
Pittsburg Penquins
Nils Ekman
Matt Carkner
Philadelphia Flyers
Niko Dimitrakos
St. Louis Blues
Jon DiSalvatore
Ottawa Senators
Tom Priessing
Josh Hennessey
Detroit Red Wings
Josh Langfeld
Los Angeles Kings
Alyn McAuley
Scott Thornton
Phoenix Coyotes
Mike Ricci
Colorado Avalanche
Matt Murley
Montreal Canadians
Dave Morrisette
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