Calgary tops coaches poll

Sept. 27, 2023 – The Calgary Dinos roared to their first Canada West championship in 27 years last season, winning an epic conference final against the arch rival Alberta Golden Bears.

Those two clubs promise to be in the thick of things again this season, as they top the 2023-24 CW pre-season coaches poll.

The Dinos took top spot in the ranking after garnering six first-place votes, followed close behind by the Golden Bears who picked up two first-place votes of their own. UBC came in third, while Saskatchewan rounded out the top four.

All eyes will be on Calgary after a program record 25-win season, which included an incredible 23-game win streak. Dinos head coach Mark Howell believes his team has what it takes to repeat, saying the club will return the nucleus of last year's championship squad while also inserting recruits that should be able to contribute right away. The Dinos will be led by third-year forward Riley Stotts, coming off a 36 point season - fourth most in Canada West.

Alberta will look to navigate some roster turnover in their attempt to knock off their provincial rivals. The Golden Bears return leading scorer Josh Prokop, the former Calgary Hitmen product who racked up a team leading 18 goals and 37 points in 28 games last season. His 124 shots, four game-winning goals, and seven powerplay goals were all tops in Canada West.

On the west coast, UBC's Sasha Mutala will look to lead the Thunderbirds back to CW glory. The hometown Vancouver product led the Thunderbirds in assists (25) and points (35), the first T-Bird rookie to do so in eight years.

The action gets underway Thursday with MacEwan visiting Calgary and Manitoba hosting Saskatchewan. Other opening weekend series include Regina taking on Mount Royal, whlie Alberta travels west to take on UBC.

For the complete Canada West men’s hockey schedule, click here. 

2023-24 CW MHKY PRE-SEASON COACHES POLL 

Team - Points (First-place votes)

1. Calgary Dinos - 70 (6)
2. Alberta Golden Bears - 63 (2)
3. UBC Thunderbirds - 59 (1)
4. Saskatchewan Huskies - 51 
5. Mount Royal Cougars - 47
6. Regina Cougars - 35
7. MacEwan Griffins- 31
8. Manitoba Bisons - 24
9. Trinity Western Spartans - 16

MEN'S HOCKEY ON CANADA WEST TV

Fans can catch all the action through the new look CanadaWest.TV, which now allows fans to watch games on popular Connected TV apps like Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, and Android TV.

Team by Team Preview 

1. Calgary Dinos 

Key Performer: F Riley Stotts (Third Year, Winnipeg)

2022-23 Stats: 10 G, 26 A, 36 PTS

Riley Stotts was one of the leaders on off the ice for the Dinos last season. The forward racked up 36 points - good for fourth most in Canada West last season. He played a key role in helping the Dinos claim their first conference title since 1996 with a program record 25-win season.

From the Coach: “The Dinos are looking forward to the 2023-24 season, after winning the Canada West Championship last season. The team returns the nucleus of the players from the 2022-23 season and has brought in some recruits that will be capable of contributing immediately. The key for the team to have success this season will be the steady play at the goaltending position once again, as well as a team first approach, as the Dinos had key contributors throughout their lineup last season. The goal will be to repeat as the top defensive team in Canada West,” -Mark Howell

2. Alberta Golden Bears 

Key Performer: F Josh Prokop (Third Year, Edmonton)

2022-23 Stats: 28 Games, 18 Goals, 19 Assists, 37 Points, 124 Shots

Despite losing an abnormally large chunk of their roster to graduation and the professional ranks, one massive returning athlete is leading scorer Josh Prokop. The former Calgary Hitmen racked up 18 goals and 37 points in 28 games last season, both of which led the Bears. His 124 shots, four game-winning goals, and seven powerplay goals were all tops in Canada West. 

3. UBC Thunderbirds

Key Performer: F Sasha Mutala (Second Year, Vancouver) 

2022-23 Stats: 10 Goals, 25 Assists, 35 Points, +10

In his first Canada West season, Mutala led the Thunderbird in assists (25) and points (35), the first T-Bird rookie to do so in eight years. The Vancouver product finished tied for seventh overall in league scoring and was second among all first year players and was named to the Canada West All-Rookie Team.

From the Coach: “Our key for UBC will be having our sophormores continue to take steps forward. Having lost only a few players we have largely the same group. We expect one of the most competitive seasons for the league as a whole. Calgary established themselves as the front runners, Alberta is always competing for the top spot and Sask has a recruiting class that will put them in the conversation.” -Sven Butenschon

4. Saskatchewan Huskies

Key Performer: F Liam Keeler (Second Year, Edmonton) 

2022-23 Stats: 8 G, 20 A, .118 SH% 

"Led the Huskies in rookie scoring and was third overall in team scoring. Liam brings a combination of speed, skill, grit and leadership to the Huskies forward group. He will be looking to build upon a highly successful rookie season," -Head Coach Brandin Cote

From the Coach: “The Huskies have added seven new forwards and four new D to the 2023-24 roster, while also maintaining a solid group of returning players from the previous season. With a roster comprised of experienced veterans and some exciting new recruits, the Huskies will rely on a balanced attack with speed and skill at the forward position, size and mobility on the back end, and a solid goaltending tandem in the net this season,” -Brandin Cote

5. Mount Royal Cougars

Key Performer: F Connor Bouchard (Fourth Year, Cochrane, AB)

2022-23 Stats: 14 G, 26 A, 40 PTS, +31 

Connor Bouchard, is our top returning scorer and a former All-Rookie Team se lection, faces a pivotal season. With linemates Yaremko and Sawchuk gone to the pros, Bouchard's chemistry with new linemates will be critical for our offensive success. He's our offensive linchpin this season.

From the Coach: “This is an extremely young and inexperienced Cougar Hockey team who lost a lot of offense from last season. However, led by 5th year captain Connor Blake, the Cougars are still returning some key pieces in forward Connor Bouchard and goaltenders Shane Farkas and Riley Sims. MRU looks to continue their stingy defensive play in 2023-24 with six returning defensemen that includes Clay Hanus who will be competing in his first full Canada West season,” -Bert Gilling 

6. Regina Cougars

Key Performer: F Jayden Davis (Third Year, Alameda, SK)

2022-23 Stats: 28 GP, 8 G, 10 A, 18 PTS

Jayden Davis is the among the team's leading returners after enjoying a breakout offensive season in 2022-23. After collecting five points in his first season with the Cougars, Davis scored 8 goals and added 10 assists in Canada West play. Two of those goals were of the game-winning variety, one of which came in the team's 3-2 overtime win at Alberta in late January.

7. MacEwan Griffins

Key Performer: G Ashton Abel (Fifth Year, Fort McMurray, AB)

2022-23 Stats: 8 W, 4.09 GAA, .891 SV%, 643 Saves

In just the Griffins' second season in Canada West in 2022-23, the Boston University transfer was the biggest reason they came within a point of their first playoff berth. Chief among Abel's several big performances was a 48-save effort at Alberta last October that gave MacEwan its first win over the rival Golden Bears in Canada West (and first in any game since 2007). He then stopped 44 of 46 to steal a victory at UBC three weeks later. The reigning MacEwan Male Athlete of the Year had the second-most saves in the conference last season (643) and will be heavily relied upon again if the Griffins are to challenge for a post-season spot.

From the Coach: “We are a young team that looks to play a physical, fast style. Keys to success are having good special teams (power play and penalty kill) and commitment to team defense,” -Zack Dailey

 7. Manitoba Bisons

Key Performer: F Hayden Ostir (Third Year, Winnipeg, MB)

2022-23 Stats: 10 G, 9 A, 19 PTS

Third-year forward Hayden Ostir steps into an enhanced leadership role this season for the Bisons, following the departure of top scorers Brett Davis and Devon Skoleski to pro teams. Ostir, whose father Grant is also an alum of the program, was arguably the team's hottest player down the stretch last year, with eight goals after the winter break, including three multi-goal showings, and his first U SPORTS hat trick. Look for him to once again be among the team's top point-getters in 2023-24. 

9. Trinity Western Spartans

Key Performer: F Daine Dubois (Fourth Year, Williams Lake, B.C.)

2022-23 Stats: 28 GP, 14G, 13A, 27 pts

Daine is returning to TWU after leading the team in goals and points last season. He gives the team a spark on offence but also plays hard each and every shift. Daine is also a leader through his effort, attitude, and preparation and he will wear an “A” for the Spartans this year.

From the Coach: “We are looking forward to building on last season.  We saw some amazing growth from some players last year and I look forward to seeing more players take another step this season. We want to be known as a team that plays fast, works hard every shift, and is difficult to play against,” – Ben Walter