Johnny Bravo Ultimate

This year’s Colorado Cup showcase game will feature Toronto’s GOAT against the home team, Johnny Bravo.  GOAT formed in 2002 as a merger between the top teams in Ottawa and Toronto.  (Greater Ottawa And Toronto=GOAT).  Today, most of GOAT’s players are from Toronto.  They pull young players from the University of Toronto, McMaster University, Queens University, Western and the University of Guelph.  Since the team’s inception in 2002, GOAT has qualified for the UPA Championships four times.  They had a breakout performance in 2007 when they met Johnny Bravo in the semifinals.  Though Bravo beat GOAT 15-11 and advanced to the finals, GOAT’s performance over the past three years has established them as one of the truly elite teams in the sport.

UPA Club Semifinals - 2007

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GOAT will be one of the most exciting teams to watch at Colorado Cup 2010.  John Hassell (#38) and Andy Ouchterlony (#43) are two of Canada’s best players, both traveled to Taiwan last year to represent Team Canada at the World Games.  Both are excellent receivers and Hassell will stand out of any group with his outstanding deep shots.   Many of GOAT’s younger players are picking up international experience in the World Junior Ultimate Championships in Europe this summer; they have 7 players on Canada’s U23 team and 2 players on Canada’s U20 team.  In addition, veterans Kirk Nylen and Pat Mooney are coaching Canada’s junior teams.  This means GOAT will be fielding a smaller roster of around 16 players for Colorado Cup.  If GOAT hopes to turn things around against Bravo, they will have to do so without some of their key players.

Andy Ouchterlony (GOAT) and David Belsheim (Bravo) - 2009

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GOAT and Bravo have met a total of 6 times in the past three years and each match has been an exciting one.  While Bravo has never lost, GOAT has held a late lead on several occasions.  Two of Bravo’s wins came on double game point.  The last meeting at the 2009 UPA Club Championships was arguably the most dramatic match of the tournament.  GOAT took half 8-5.  Bravo rallied from behind (9-13) to score 5 breaks and win 16-14 in the pre-quarterfinal elimination game.  Despite the fierce competition, the two clubs remain friendly, often sitting down together after a game to share drinks and stories.  When asked what GOAT enjoys about playing Johnny Bravo, GOAT spokesman Phil Watanabe replied; “Bravo is always a fearless, athletic and talented team and that always makes for a great game.” Johnny Bravo welcomes our Canadian friends and looks forward to playing another exciting match with them.

GOAT v Johnny Bravo - Prequarters 2009

Bravo Additions Include Many New Faces, One Old

Johnny Bravo Tryouts have come and gone. We would like to extend our gratitude to all those who attended. This year’s tryout class was the strongest we have seen in years.

The roster has been set, and includes eight new rostered players* and three practice players. Check out our “2010 Roster” tab for the complete run down.

*Andy Stringer is included in the new player count, but is returning for his second stint with Bravo after taking 2009 off.

Andy came into our voluntary preseason training sessions fit and intense. He clearly had something to prove.  He quickly established himself as a not only a shoo in for a roster spot, but as a candidate to have a breakout season. In 2007, with several years of college eligibility remaining, Andy made the team as a practice player.  Several weeks later, the team offered him a full roster spot. Despite winning that spot, playing time was hard to come by on a superlatively athletic, veteran laden team. In 2009, he finished school, leaving some eligibility on the table, and traveled abroad to the Czech Republic.  While there, his reputation as a player led to this interview (get your google translator ready): http://www.frisbee.cz/clanky-andy-stringer.html .

He has returned to us a little older, a little more well traveled, and perhaps more mature. But he hasn’t forgotten the disappointment of his rookie season. Beginning with his promotion from practice player to rostered member in 2007, Andy Stringer has earned everything that has come to him on the field. This year will be no different. His eyes are set on the big stage in late October.  This year, he wants to be the fuel that gets this rocket where it’s going.  We couldn’t be happier to have him back.