MHKY: Golden Bears take top spot in preseason poll

October 15, 2021

VANCOUVER - With the puck set to drop on the conference season Friday night, the Canada West released the results of its preseason coaches poll.

The Alberta Golden Bears garnered 62 overall points in the poll, including six first-place selections. Alberta finished atop the conference standings in 2019-20 at 23-5, but were denied a fourth-straight Canada West title after being upset in the semifinal round by the UBC Thunderbirds.

The defending champion Saskatchewan Huskies came in second in the poll with 54 points and a pair of first-place picks. Saskatchewan finished its last campaign 22-4-2 and won its 11th CW banner in 2019-20.

Crowchild Classic rivals the Mount Royal Cougars (49 points) and Calgary Dinos (44 points) slot in at third and fourth, respectively, with Mount Royal picking up one first-place nod.

UBC, the reigning CW silver medalists, collected 40 points in the poll. The Thunderbirds finished the 2019-20 season in fifth-place at 9-14-5 before a magical run to the CW Finals.

The Manitoba Bisons (28 points), MacEwan Griffins (21 points), Regina Cougars (17 points), and Trinity Western Spartans (9 points) round out poll.

For the Griffins and Spartans, their long awaited conference debuts will finally arrive on Friday night. The two programs were officially accepted as hockey members in May of 2019.

The 2021-22 season opens this weekend with a full slate of games Friday night, with only the Saskatchewan Huskies idle in Week 1. For a complete look at the conference schedule, click here.

Every men's hockey game will once again be available exclusively this season on Canada West TV Presented by Co-op. You can purchase your all-access, or sport pass by clicking here.

To read more about all nine conference teams, visit CanadaWest.org for the conference's complete team-by-team preview.

2021 CW MHKY PRESEASON COACHES POLL

Team - Points (First-place votes)

Alberta Golden Bears - 62 (6)
Saskatchewan Huskies - 54 (2)
Mount Royal Cougars - 49 (1)
Calgary Dinos - 44
UBC Thunderbirds - 40
Manitoba Bisons - 28
MacEwan Griffins - 21
Regina Cougars - 17
Trinity Western Spartans - 9

NOTE: Coaches ranked all opponents 1-8. First-place votes worth 8 pts., second-place worth 7 pts. etc

2021 TEAM PREVIEWS

Alberta Golden Bears
UBC Thunderbirds
Calgary Dinos
MacEwan Griffins
Manitoba Bisons
Mount Royal Cougars
Regina Cougars
Saskatchewan Huskies
Trinity Western Spartans

ALBERTA GOLDEN BEARS

2019-20 CW regular season record: /23-5-0/, 1^st
2019-20 post-season record: /1-2/, L to UBC - CW Semifinal
Last CW championship / total CW championships: 2019 / 55
Last U SPORTS championship / total U SPORTS championships: 2018 / 16

2019-20 CW regular season ranks:

Offence: 132 goals, 1^st
Defence: 57 goals against, 1^st
Power play: 20.5%, 3^rd
Penalty kill: 85.3%, 2^nd

2019-20 CW regular season leaders (returning):

Goals: 18 - Grayson Pawlenchuk, Forward
Assists: 22 - Dawson Davidson, Defence
Points: 35 - Grayson Pawlenchuk, Forward
Wins: 10 - Matt Berlin, Goalie
Shutouts: 3 - Matt Berlin, Goalie

Key additions (name / position / eligibility / hometown / last team):

Ryan Hughes / Forward / 1^st / Edmonton, AB / Kamloops Blazers
Taz Burman / Goalie / 3^rd / Vancouver, BC / Lethbridge Pronghorns
Dylan Plouffe / Defence / 1^st / Sherwood Park, AB / Medicine Hat Tigers
Eric Florchuk / Forward / 1^st / Fort Saskatchewan, AB / Vancouver Giants
Tyler Preziuso / Forward / 1^st / Victoria, BC / Vancouver Giants
Gary Haden / Forward / 1^st / Airdrie, AB / Victoria Royals

Key losses (name / position / hometown / years with program):

Sawyer Lange / Defence / Prince Albert, SK / 5
Steven Owre / Forward / Rocklin, California / 3
Cole Sanford / Forward / Coldstream, BC / 4
Trevor Cox / Forward / Surrey, BC / 4
Ben Carroll / Defence / Sherwood Park, AB / 4
Brendan Burke / Goalie / Scottsdale, Arizona / 4

Key performer:

Grayson Pawlenchuk
Forward
3^rd
Edmonton, AB

On the short list of favourites for the scoring title and MVP award for Canada West Men's Hockey, you will find the name Grayson Pawlenchuk.

The third-year Bears winger finished second in conference scoring in 2019/20 with 18 goals and 35 points in 28 games, finishing only one point behind Calgary Dino Matt Alfaro.

The 2019 Canada West Rookie of the Year has already racked up 57 points in 56 conference games, along with 11 points in 11 playoff games in his short time with the Bears.

With back-to-back deep recruiting classes for the Bears, they will once again be heavy favourites for both Canada West and U SPORTS gold, thanks in large part to the play-driving ability of Pawlenchuk.

UBC THUNDERBIRDS

2019-20 CW regular season record: 9-14-5, 5^th in CW
2019-20 post-season record: 4-2, lost to SSK in CW Final
Last CW championship / total CW championships: 1971 / 2
Last U SPORTS championship / total U SPORTS championships: none

2019-20 CW regular season ranks:

Offence: 72 goals, 6th
Defence: 86 goals against, 5th
Power play: 21.7%, 2nd
Penalty kill: 82.5%, 4th

2019-20 CW regular season leaders (returning):

Goals: 12 - Tyler Sandhu, F
Assists: 13 - Jake Kryski, F
Points: 23 - Tyler Sandhu, F
Wins: 9 - Rylan Toth, G
Shutouts: N/A

Key additions (name / position / eligibility / hometown / last team):

Scott Atkinson / F / 1 / Vancouver, B.C. / Edmonton Oil Kings
Matt Leduc / D / 1 / Richmond, B.C. / Spokane Chiefs
Liam Kindree / F / 1 / North Vancouver, B.C. / Lethbridge Hurricanes
Carson Miller / F / 1 / Yorkton, Sask. / Victoria Royals
Matthew Smith / D / 1 / Saskatoon, Sask. / Victoria Royals
Jack Wismer / F / 1 / Stoney Creek, Ont. / Flint Firebirds
Cyle McNabb / F / 1 / Winnipeg, Man. / Medicine Hat Tigers
Chris Douglas / F / 1 / Richmond, B.C. / Red Deer Rebels

Key losses (name / position / hometown / years with program):

Joe Carvalho / D / Burnaby, B.C. / 5
Carter Popoff / F / Richmond, B.C. / 5
Austin Vetterl / F / Surrey, B.C. / 5

Key performer:

Tyler Sandhu
Forward
4th
Richmond, B.C.

Leading the T-Birds in goals (12) and points (23) in 2019-20, the newly minted captain is a driving force of what is a very deep UBC offence. The former Tri-City American forward only ups his production in the postseason where he is nearly a point-per-game player while having never missed a single game, regular season or playoffs, since his rookie year.

CALGARY DINOS

2019-20 CW regular season record: 18-7-3-0, 4th in CW
2019-20 post-season record: 2-2, lost in CW SF to Saskatchewan
Last CW championship / total CW championships: 1996 / 8
Last U SPORTS championship / total U SPORTS championships: None

2019-20 CW regular season ranks:

Offence: 99 goals, 4th in CW
Defence: 72 goals against, 3rd in CW
Power play: 18.4%, 5th in CW
Penalty kill: 79.8%, 5th in CW

2019-20 CW regular season leaders (returning):

Goals: 13 - Kaden Elder, F
Assists: 14 - Tim Vanstone, F
Points: 21 - Kaden Elder, F
Wins: 9 - Brodan Salmond, G
Shutouts: 1 - Brodan Salmond, G

Key additions (name / position / eligibility / hometown / last team):

Jake Gricius / F / 1 / Colorado Spring, CO / Allen (ECHL) / Portland (WHL)
Noah King / D / 1 / Winnipeg, MB / Manitoba Moose (AHL) / Spokane (WHL)
Josh Maser / F / 1 / Houston, BC / Allen (ECHL) / Prince George (WHL)
Riley Stotts / F / 1 / Winnipeg, MB / Calgary (WHL)

Key losses (name / position / hometown / years with program):

Matt Alfaro / F / Calgary, AB / 4
Logan Fisher / F / Red Deer, AB / 5
Coda Gordon / F / Cochrane, AB / 5
Matt Greenfield / G / Parkland, FL / 5

Key performer:

Brodan Salmond
Goaltender
2nd Year
Calgary, AB

When University of Calgary Dinos starting goaltender Matt Greenfield went down with an injury during the 2019-20 season, freshman puck stopper Brodan Salmond stepped up and led the team through a critical point in the year. The former Kelowna Rocket and Moose Jaw Warrior collected nine wins with a 2.40 goals-against average and a 0.900 save percentage. He was named the All-Rookie netminder in Canada West for 2019-20 and will be the leading man between the pipes for the Dinos this season.

MACEWAN GRIFFINS

2019-20 ACAC regular season record: 20-7-1-0, third
2019-20 post-season record: 2-1, Playoffs cancelled prior to semifinal series
Last ACAC championship / total ACAC championships: 2018-19 / 4
Last U SPORTS championship / total U SPORTS championships: None

2019-20 ACAC regular season ranks:

Offence: 137 goals, 1st
Defence: 65 goals against, 2nd
Power play: 17.2%, 6th
Penalty kill: 89.1%, 2nd

2019-20 ACAC regular season leaders (returning):

Goals: 12 - Joseph Karpyshyn, F
Assists: 20 - Cameron Reagan, D
Points: 28 - Jordan Taupert, F
Wins: 4 - Thomas Davis, G
Shutouts: 1 - Thomas Davis, G

Key additions (name / position / eligibility / hometown / last team):

Ethan Price / F / 3 / Lincoln, NE / Brock University (OUA)
Sean Comrie / D / 1 / Edmonton, AB / Kelowna (WHL)
David Kope / F / 1 / Edmonton, AB / Kelowna (WHL)
Riley Brandt / F / 3 / Trail, BC / Royal Military College (OUA)
Chase Thudium / F / 4 / Sylvan Lake, AB / Red Deer College (ACAC)

Key losses (name / position / hometown / years with program):

Marc-Olivier Daigle / G / Delson, QC / 4
Cam Gotaas / F / Sherwood Park, AB / 4
Bryan Arneson / F / Sherwood Park, AB / 5
Austin Yaremchuk / D / Sherwood Park, AB / 4

Key performer:

Ethan Price
Forward
Year: 3
Lincoln, Nebraska

Named as the first captain of MacEwan's Canada West era, Price brings everything you want in a leader on and off the ice.
In peak physical condition off the ice and a true 200-foot player on it, the 5-foot-10, 187 lb. forward is set to lead the Griffins into their inaugural U SPORTS campaign.

Playing in all situations, Price brings a very competitive brand of hockey honed through 273 games of Western Hockey League experience with Portland and Victoria.

He also played for Omaha and Lincoln in the USHL and brings valuable previous U SPORTS experience (33 games with Brock University in 2018-19).
Price is also well-versed in the culture of the Griffins after red-shirting with the team in 2019-20 and will look to bring a young team up to speed in Canada West.

MANITOBA BISONS

2019-20 CW regular season record: 11-15-2, 6^th in CW
2019-20 CW post-season record: 0-2, Lost in CW quarterfinal to Calgary
Last CW championship / total CW championships: 1964-65 / 2
Last U SPORTS championship / total U SPORTS championships: 1964-65 / 1

2019-20 CW regular season ranks:

Offence: 76 goals, 5^th
Defence: 106 goals against, 6^th
Power play: 16.2%, 7^th
Penalty kill: 75.9%, 8^th

2019-20 CW regular season leaders (returning):

Goals: 8 - Colton Veloso, F
Assists: 13 - Keaton Jameson, F
Points: 18 - Devon Skoleski, F

Key additions (name / position / eligibility / hometown / last team):

Samuel Stewart / D / 1 / Winnipeg, MB / Edmonton Oil Kings
Reece Harsch / D / 1 / Grande Prairie, MB / Winnipeg ICE
Chase Hartje / D / 1 / Bemidji, MN, USA / Moose Jaw Warriors
Hayden Ostir / F / 1 / Winnipeg, MB / Swift Current Broncos
Brett Davis / F / 1 / Oakbank, MB / Manitoba Moose
Liam Hughes / G / 1 / Kelowna, ON / Winnipeg ICE
Linden McCorrister / F / 2 / Peguis, MB / Regina Cougars
Tyler Anderson / D / 5 / Winnipeg, MB / St. Cloud State Huskies

Key losses (name / position / hometown / years with program):

Adam Henry / D / Winnipeg, MB / 5
Sean Christensen / D / Winnipeg, MB / 5
Jonah Wasylak / F / Calgary, AB / 5

Key performer:

Name: Colton Veloso
Position: Forward
Year: 3^rd Year
Hometown: Winnipeg, MB

The epitome of a team player, Manitoba Bisons forward Colton Veloso enters his third year of eligibility boasting a 200-foot game and plenty of experience at all levels of hockey.

Already having played in the WHL with the Portland Winterhawks and Kootenay (now Winnipeg) ICE, the 5'11", 196-pound winger has since 38 games as a consistent scoring threat with Manitoba - while also spending half a season in 2018-19 in the ECHL with the Jacksonville Icemen. He's totaled ten goals and 11 assists in two seasons with the Herd - four of those goals coming on the power play.

Veloso will be looked upon as one of Manitoba's top scoring threats. The Winnipeg native is studying in the Faculty of Arts and attended high school at Oak Park High School.

MOUNT ROYAL COUGARS

2019 CW regular season record: /-/, position 18-10-0-2, 3rd going into playoffs.
2019 post-season record: /-/, playoff finish 19-12-0-2, finished 5th in Canada West
Last CW championship / total CW championships: Year / # N/A
Last U SPORTS championship / total U SPORTS championships: Year / # N/A

2019-20 CW regular season leaders (returning):
Offence: 107, 2nd overall
Defence: 84, 4th overall
Power play: 23.0%, 1st overall
Penalty kill: 78.8%, 6th overall

2019-20 CW regular season leaders (returning):

Goals: 18 - Ryley Lindgren, F
Assists: 18 - Connor Blake, D
Points: 31 - Ryley Lindgren, F
Wins: 13 - Riley Morris, G
Shutouts: 1 - Riley Morris, G

Key additions (name / position / eligibility / hometown / last team):

Josh Tarzwell / Forward / 1st / Red Deer / Red Deer Rebels, WHL
Spencer Moe / Forward / 1st / Calgary / Prince Albert Raiders, WHL
Kyle Walker / Defense / 1st / Leduc / Regina Pats, WHL

Key losses (name / position / hometown / years with program):

Jamal Watson / Defense/Fwd / Calgary / 5
Taylor Green / Defense / Port Coquitlam, BC / 5
Wyatt Hoflin / Goalie / Spruce Grove / 5

Key performer:

Name: Riley Morris
Position: Goalie
Year: 4th
Hometown: Calgary, AB

Entering what could be his last year at MRU Riley Morris has proven to be one of the top goaltenders in Canada West over the years. For Cougar Hockey to take another step toward contending for Championships it will need elite and consistent goaltending. Morris has the experience, pedigree and desire to be that player this season.

REGINA COUGARS

2019-20 CW regular season record: 8-17-3 (7^th, Canada West)
2019-20 post-season record: Did not qualify
Last CW championship / total CW championships: (none)
Last U SPORTS championship / total U SPORTS championships: (none)

2019-20 CW regular season ranks:

Offence: 65 goals (7^th)
Defence: 117 goals against (7^th)
Power play: 12.5% (8^rd)
Penalty kill: 84.4% (3^nd)

2019-20 CW regular season leaders (returning):

Goals: 9 - Ben Duperreault, F
Assists: 10 - Conner Chaulk, F & Turner Ripplinger, F
Points: 16 - Conner Chaulk, F
Wins: 8 - Brandon Holtby, G
Shutouts: (none returning)

Key additions (name / position / eligibility / hometown / last team):

Jayden Davis / F / 1^st / Alameda, Sask. / Estevan Bruins
Tyler Heidt / F / 4^th / Saskatoon, Sask. / Merrimack College
Riley Krane / F / 1^st / Dawson Creek, B.C. / Moose Jaw Warriors
Brady Pouteau / D / 2^nd / Oak Bluff, Man. / University of Manitoba

Key losses (name / position / hometown / years with program):

Tristan Frei / F / Regina, Sask. / 4
Tyler King / D / Pilot Butte, Sask. / 4
Arthur Miller / F / Regina, Sask. / 2
Landon Peel / D / Virden, Man. / 5

Key performer:

Name: Brandon Holtby
Position: Goaltender
Year: 4^th
Hometown: Regina, Sask.

After two seasons as a backup, Brandon Holtby burst into the spotlight in 2019-20 in his third season with the Cougars. He took over as the team's undisputed No. 1 goalie in mid-November and was spectacular as the U of R reeled off 13 of a possible 16 points to start the second half of the season and jump back into the thick of the playoff race. Holtby ended up with a save percentage of .912 in 2019-20, the seventh highest ever registered by a Cougar netminder in a single season. Holtby, returner Curtis Meger, and newcomer Donovan Buskey will be the U of R's goaltending trio this season.

SASKATCHEWAN HUSKIES

2019-20 CW regular season record: 22-4-1-0
2019-20 post-season record: 4-0-1-0, Canada West Champions
Last CW championship / total CW championships: 2020 / 11
Last U SPORTS championship / total U SPORTS championships: 1982-83 / 1

2019-20 CW regular season ranks:

Offence: 105, 3^rd in CW
Defence: 60, 2^nd in CW
Power play: 17.7%, 6^th in CW
Penalty kill: 86.8%, 1^st in CW

2019-20 CW regular season leaders (returning):

Goals: 10 - Jared Dmytriw, F
Assists: 18 - Jared Dmytriw, F
Points: 28 - Jared Dmytriw, F

Key additions (name / position / eligibility / hometown / last team):

Connor Hobbs / Defence / 1 / Saskatoon, SK / Hershey Bears
Zane Franklin / Forward / 1 / Marwayne, AB / Allen Americans
Ty Prefontaine / Defence / 1 / Saskatoon, SK / Lethbridge Hurricanes
Vince Loschiavo / Forward / 1/ Winnipeg, MB / Asiago Alps

Key losses (name / position / hometown / years with program):

Taran Kozun / Goalie / Nipawin, SK / 3
Tanner Lishchynsky / Defence / Saskatoon, SK / 4
Collin Shirley / Forward / Saskatoon, SK / 3
Levi Cable / Forward / Hudson Bay, SK / 5

Key performer:

Gordie Ballhorn
Defence
3^rd
Wetaskiwin, AB

The third-year defencemen returns to the program after finishing fifth amongst blue liners in points in 2019-20 in the Canada West. Ballhorn recorded four goals and 15 assists, with 7 of his assists coming on the power play, helping him earn a Second Team Canada West All-Star nod. Look for the Wetaskiwin, AB-native to continue to stabilize the Huskies blue line in their pursuit of a second consecutive W.G. Hardy trophy.

TRINITY WESTERN SPARTANS

2019-20 BCIHL regular season record: 19-4-1, 1^st
2019-20 post-season record: N/A, N/A (not completed due to COVID-19)
Last BCIHL championship: 2019 / total BCIHL championships: 2018, 2019 / 2

2019-20 BCIHL regular season ranks:

Offence: 122 goals, 1st
Defence: 65 goals against, 1^st
Power play: 22.9%, N/A
Penalty kill: 83%, N/A

2019-20 BCIHL regular season leaders (returning):

Goals: 12 - Logan Casavant, FWD
Assists: 22 - Logan Casavant, FWD
Points: 34 - Logan Casavant, FWD
Wins: 7 - Isaac LaBelle, G
Shutouts: 1 - Isaac LaBelle, G

Key additions (name / position / eligibility / hometown / last team):

Jadon Joseph / FWD / 1^st year / Sherwood Park, AB / Tri City Americans
Josh Borynec / FWD / 2^nd year / Parkland County, AB / University of Lethbridge
Kylor Wall / DEF / 3^rd year / Edmonton, AB / Nipissing University

Key losses (name / position / hometown / years with program):

Lucas Mills / G / Burnaby, BC / 3 years
Jarrett Fontaine / FWD / Humboldt, SK / 4 years
Elijah Vilio / DEF / Aldergrove, BC / 4 years
Evan Last / FWD / Surrey, BC / 4 years
Dustin Deugau / DEF / Calgary, AB / 4 years

Key performer:

Brayden Brown
FWD
4^th year
Calgary, AB

Brayden Brown brings various tools to the table as one of many key performers for the 2021-22 edition of the TWU Spartans. Brown combines his speed and smarts to create dangerous chances for everyone around him. Look out for Brayden Brown to make some waves in an exciting season to come for TWU.