Les Ducs d'Angers Sign Ex Vipers Captain Guenther:

The Les Ducs d'Angers have signed former Vernon Vipers defenceman/captain Riley Guenther.

The Association des Sports de Glisse d'Angers is a French ice hockey team based in Angers playing in the Ligue Magnus. 

The team currently use the name of "Les Ducs d'Angers". The team was founded in 1982 and plays home games at the Patinoire du Haras.

Guenther played the past four seasons at the University of British Columbia. Guenther played parts of two seasons in Vernon (2013-2015) was signed in late September 2013 after playing the two previous seasons in the Western Hockey League with the Tri-City Americans and Prince Albert Raiders. 

Riley Guenther's Player Profile:

https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/49992/riley-guenther

This was posted on the Thunderbirds website:

Riley Guenther inks pro deal in France’s top league

Men's Hockey 6/14/2019         Jeff Sargeant (UBC Communications)

VANCOUVER – Another Thunderbirds alumnus is joining the pro ranks as recently graduated defenceman Riley Guenther has signed a contract with Les Ducs d'Angers of Ligue Magnus, the top division in France.

 

The Calgary native joins another former T-Bird in Angers as former teammate and fellow blue liner Neil Manning has also signed with les Ducs.

 

"It feels incredible to be starting my professional career," said Guenther who will move to France this summer ahead of the start of training camp in August. "This has always been a dream of mine from the very beginning and to have it come true is just a great feeling. All the hard work has paid off and I can't wait to get started."

A graduate of the Sauder School of Business this spring, Guenther played a total of 107 regular season games with the blue and gold while putting up seven goals and 11 assists for 18 points and 72 penalty minutes. Guenther added another four points in eight career playoff games with the 'Birds.

 

"Every year here he progressed and trended in the right direction, he's prepared himself both physically and mentally for the pro game," said UBC head coach Sven Butenschon. "We all knew he would sign somewhere because he was so hungry to take that next step. He's very athletic, he's a great player, he's well rounded so I think the team is lucky to have him."

 

Prior to arriving at UBC, Guenther played two seasons in the WHL, split between the Tri-City Americans and the Prince Albert Raiders. He then shifted to the BCHL where he played his final two years of junior hockey for the Vernon Vipers, the last of which he served as captain.

Manning is getting set for his first season in France after stints in the American Hockey League, ECHL, and the second German division last year. The Nanaimo, BC product amassed 17 points in 30 ECHL games with the Indy Fuel while being named a league All-Star.

 

"We're super excited for both these guys to continue their hockey journey on the same team," added Butenschon. "They already have chemistry, they know each other, I think it's a really neat story."

 

The Thunderbird link in Angers runs deep as the team's head coach is another UBC alumnus in Brennan Sonne who donned the blue and gold from 2008 to 2011.

"After speaking with Brennan a few times, I was lucky enough to fit the mold of the type of player he was looking for and things moved pretty quickly after that," added Guenther. "My four years at UBC honestly taught me so much and made me such a better hockey player and person. Being a full time student-athlete forces you to be so committed and disciplined which are lessons I will carry with me over to Europe and for the rest of my life. I can't thank my coaching staff, teammates, classmates and professors enough for my time at UBC."