2014-15 Manitoba Bisons/CIS Thread

[Hollywood3]

CIS BOOKMARKS

In recent years the announcement of new signings has started in late April or early May. So, this year I am starting the thread a bit early.

Bookmark this post for the links you will need to follow CIS hockey. I will update this post throughout the season.

League Sites:
CIS Men's Hockey Site - Tw - FB
... sub-links : Standings : Schedule/Results : Playoffs : U-Cup
Canada West Men's Hockey Site - Tw - FB
... sub-links : Schedule/Results/Links : History and Records : Media Stats
OUA Men's Hockey Site - Tw - FB
... sub-links : Schedule/Results
AUS Men's Hockey Site - Tw - FB
... sub-links : Schedule/Results
ACAC Men's Hockey Site
BCIHL Site

Canada West Team Sites:
Alberta Golden Bears - Tw - FB
Calgary Dinos - Tw - FB
Lethbridge Pronghorns - Tw - FB
Manitoba Bisons - Tw - FB
Mount Royal Cougars - Tw - FB
Regina Cougars - Tw - FB
Saskatchewan Huskies - main - Tw - FB
UBC Thunderbirds - Tw - FB

Media Sites/Blogs:
SportsNet CIS Page - SNU
TSN CIS Page
CISblog.ca
Canadian University Press
MyToba.ca
ChrisD.ca
Manitoba Hockey News
Winnipeg Hockey Talk
Independent Sports News
UNBHockeyFans.com
Hockey Scene - AUS
STUTommies.com
AcadiaAxemenHockey.com
RedmenHockey.com (McGill)
Boxscore News - CIS Hockey Page

Online video/audio:
CanadaWest.tv - Stretch Internet link
CIS-SIC.tv
AUSTV.ca
OUA.tv
CITR.ca - UBC radio
Rock 94 FM - Lakehead away games
UMFM.com - occasional Bison games
SSN Canada

Canada West stats and data:
CW LeagueStats - Standings
CW LeagueStats - Daily Schedule
CW LeagueStats - Rosters
CW LeagueStats - Skaters' Stats
CW LeagueStats - Goalies' Stats
CW LeagueStats - Team Schedules

Stats:
Elite Prospects : CIS Page - individual player stats on everybody
Internet Hockey Data Base (IHDB) : CWUAA Page - like Elite Prospects
Old Bison Site - Schedule/Results - with links to stories and summaries from 2004-05 to 2007-08
CIS Stats and Rosters - 2004-05 to 2008-09 links dead
CIS Stats - 2009-10 to 2013-14
CIS Schedule/Results - 2004-05 to 2008-09 links dead
CIS Schedule/Results - 2009-10 to 2013-14
CIS Playoff Schedule/Results - 2004-05 to 2008-09 links dead
CIS Playoff Schedule/Results - 2010 to 2014
AUS Schedule/Results - 2012-13 to 2014-15
AUS Archive
OUA LeagueStat
ACAC LeagueStat
Bob Adams' Archives - CIS hockey from 1995-96 to 2008-09
Wikia - University Cup - 1963-present
Wikia - Canada West - 1972-73 - present
Wikia - GPAC - 1972-73 - 1984-85
Wikia - WIAA - 1962-63 - 1971-72
Wikia - WCIAU - 1918-19 - 1961-62
Wikia - OUA/OUAA - 1971-72 - present
Wikia - QUAA - 1971-72 - 1986-87
Wikia - OSLC - 1949-50 - 1970-71 (Ottawa St. Lawrence Conference)
Wikia - OIAA - 1964-65 - 1970-71 (Ontario Intercollegiate Athletic Association)
Wikia - QOAA - 1953-54 - 1970-71 (Quebec-Ontario Athletic Association)
Wikia - CIAU - 1902-03 - 1952-53 (CIAU Central)
Wikia - AUS/AUAA/AIAA/MIAA - 1920-present

AUS Team Sites:
Acadia Axemen
Dalhousie Tigers
Moncton Aigles Bleus- Google Translate
New Brunswick Varsity Reds
UPEI Panthers
St. Francis-Xavier X-men
Saint Mary's Huskies
St. Thomas Tommies

OUA-West Team Sites:
Brock Badgers
Guelph Gryphons
Lakehead Thunderwolves
Laurier Golden Hawks
Ryerson Rams
Toronto Varsity Blues
Waterloo Warriors - Tw - FB
Western Ontario Mustangs
Windsor Lancers
York Lions

OUA-East Team Sites:
Carleton Ravens
Laurentian Voyageurs
Nipissing Lakers
Ottawa Geegees
Queen's Golden Gaels
RMC Palladins
UOIT Ridgebacks

RSEQ (OUA-East) Team Sites:
Concordia Stingers
McGill Redmen
UQTR Patriotes

ACAC Team Sites:
Augustana Vikings
Briercrest Clippers
Concordia Thunder
Keyano Huskies
MacEwan Griffins
NAIT Ooks
Portage Voyageurs
Red Deer Kings
SAIT Trojans

BCIHL Team Sites:
Eastern Washington Eagles
Selkirk Saints
Simon Fraser Clan - Tw
Thompson Rivers Wolfpack (team folded commencing 2014-15)
Trinity Western Spartans
Victoria Vikings

Threads:
OHT34 2009-10
OHT34 2010-11
OHT34 2011-12
OHT35 2012-13
OHT36 2013-14
CIS Playoff Formats
Manitoba Bisons 2007-08
Manitoba Bisons 2008-09
Manitoba Bisons 2009-10
Manitoba Bisons 2010-11
Manitoba Bisons 2011-12
Manitoba Bisons 2012-13
Manitoba Bisons 2013-14

EDITS:
June 19, 2014: CW site has all-new links
July 5, 2014: added blogs MyToba and ChrisD
August 6, 2014: added more Wikia pages
August 9, 2014: TRU folded
August 31, 2014: Wikia, Laurentian, Dalhousie, and SFX links updated
October 4, 2014: new link for SMU, links updated to 2014-15
January 9, 2015: Boxscore News CIS Hockey link added back - page is again active
January 14, 2015: CW LeagueStat links for 2015
February 11, 2015: 2015 playoff link

Click to read more...

 

[Hollywood3]

Some fired, some hired

The 2013-14 thread ended with news of the UBC firing and the CIS change to the U-Cup format. But that is just the start of news for 2014-15.

Jean Laforest resigned as head coach at MRU for "personal reasons", thus prompting a search for a new head cat. The second link describes all the duties of a coach, should you be interested in applying. The New Kittens on the Block must be disappointed with this news. They program improved a great deal when moving from the ACAC to the CIS and the team was in the playoffs.

Links:
:. [Coach Jean Laforest to Step Down for Personal Reasons]
:. [Job Posting - Men's Hockey Coach]

Lethbridge canned Greg Gatto and hired Spiros Anastas, currently as assistant coach with Grand Rapids of the AHL. The Griffins are the farm club of the Detroit Red Wings, coached by former Lethbridge coach Mike Babcock.

Gatto was 80-143-20 and the team was clearly not recruiting worth a hoot. However, they did play hard for him. Not sure how Anastas intends to recruit. I don't know if he has a pipeline to any new talent.

Links:
:. [Horns Make Coaching Change]
:. ['Horns tap Red Wings organization for next head coach] : [CW repost]

 

[Ched]

The rumour mill about the recruiting class for 2014-15 edition of the Bisons is starting to heat up. It appears some western Manitoba 1993 born players have committed. Smooth skating, smart and two way centreman Chad Robinson from the Brandon Wheat Kings will be wearing brown and gold. His teammate Rene Hunter - a big strong and effective stay at home Defenceman will also be hanging up his gear at the Wayne Fleming Arena. A third recruit, Brandon native smooth skating defenceman Josh Elmes who has played the last two years in the USHL has apparently also committed. 3 quality young guys to help bolster a roster that will be missing Ian DuVal, Luke Cain, Dane Crowley, Darren Bestland, Jeremy Schappert and Joe Caligiuri.

 

[DudeWhereIsMakar]

The rumour mill about the recruiting class for 2014-15 edition of the Bisons is starting to heat up. It appears some western Manitoba 1993 born players have committed. Smooth skating, smart and two way centreman Chad Robinson from the Brandon Wheat Kings will be wearing brown and gold. His teammate Rene Hunter - a big strong and effective stay at home Defenceman will also be hanging up his gear at the Wayne Fleming Arena. A third recruit, Brandon native smooth skating defenceman Josh Elmes who has played the last two years in the USHL has apparently also committed. 3 quality young guys to help bolster a roster that will be missing Ian DuVal, Luke Cain, Dane Crowley, Darren Bestland, Jeremy Schappert and Joe Caligiuri.

What about Zach Franko?

 

[Ched]

What about Zach Franko?

I am sure Zach Franko is being heavily recruited by the Bisons. He would be a perfect fit in the top 6 and play with some pretty talented guys. He is likely on the wish list of a few universities (the Maritime schools like Manitoba born players) but staying at home and having a big role on a very good team would be a great decision for Zach.

 

[Hollywood3]

More springtime news

There has been a smattering of official news, including a new coach.

The MRU Cougars have announced three recruits from Junior A: Jared Van Ree, Austin Yadlowski, and Grant Baker.

Links:
:. [Jared Van Ree] : [Austin Yadlowski] : [Grant Baker]

After the surprise coaching change in British California they have announced that former assistant Tyler Kuntz has been promoted. Does this qualify as a "new direction" as originally touted?

Links:
:. [UBC Story] : [Repost at CW] : [Repost at CIS]

So, the Rutherdump could be replaced. The Star-Phoenix says they want new digs, provided they don't have to pay.

Links:
:. [U of S wants new rink 'without incurring additional capital or operating costs']

The Ottawa Citizen has a story on the on-going saga of the Gee Gees hockey team. Here's the blurb on hockey:

The sharp-eyed among you perhaps noticed that there are no award winners listed for men’s hockey. This is not a surprising development given that the University of Ottawa announced the suspension of that program after being notified of an alleged sexual assault incident in Thunder Bay.

The university is conducting an internal review of the alleged incident, and police are investigating.

As of April 7, Ontario University Athletics had not been notified that the U of O would be withdrawing from its men’s hockey league. The next deadline for doing so would be the OUA’s annual general meetings scheduled for May 5-9, but that’s only a deadline in the sense that pulling out of the league would allow U of O to restrict the amount of the fine it would pay to $500.

Withdrawing between the AGM and the release of the 2014-15 men’s hockey schedule would result in a fine of approximately $1,000. Pulling the plug on Gee-Gees men’s hockey for next season after the release of the schedule, which would normally occur around June 1, would result in a $3,000 fine.

The only way to avoid a fine would be to give a year’s notice of withdrawing from a particular OUA sports league. That wouldn’t be the case here.

If the university does decide to withdraw from men’s hockey for 2014-15, then what becomes of any Gee-Gees team members not found to have been part of the alleged incident. (I keep saying that because, as of this writing, no charges have been laid. Even if charges are laid, there’s no indication that they would involve all members of the team. Above all else, no finding of guilt has yet been made by a court of law.)

If U of O were to extend the suspension of the men’s hockey program through 2014-15 and beyond, those student-athletes not found to be responsible for this alleged incident might very well want to continue their post-university hockey careers at other CIS institutions.

To do so, they would have to transfer. CIS has in the past granted “humanitarian†transfers to athletes whose programs have been suspended by their schools, allowing them to participate on behalf of the new schools immediately, rather than having to sit out the usual one-year transfer period.

The most recent example of that involved the University of Waterloo football team. That program was suspended in 2010 following a performance-enhancing drug scandal that involved nine players.

Links:
:. [Gee-Gees Award Winners Celebrated, But Not In Men’s Hockey]

The rumour mill about the recruiting class for 2014-15 edition of the Bisons is starting to heat up. It appears some western Manitoba 1993 born players have committed. Smooth skating, smart and two way centreman Chad Robinson from the Brandon Wheat Kings will be wearing brown and gold. His teammate Rene Hunter - a big strong and effective stay at home Defenceman will also be hanging up his gear at the Wayne Fleming Arena. A third recruit, Brandon native smooth skating defenceman Josh Elmes who has played the last two years in the USHL has apparently also committed. 3 quality young guys to help bolster a roster that will be missing Ian DuVal, Luke Cain, Dane Crowley, Darren Bestland, Jeremy Schappert and Joe Caligiuri.

A year ago today the Bisons started making official announcements. So, we shall wait and see what might be confirmed.

 

[Rob]

So UBC is playing for sure this season?

 

[Hollywood3]

So UBC is playing for sure this season?

Yes, and beyond.

 

[Rob]

Yes, and beyond.

Wow. I assume they got enough private funding?

 

[Hollywood3]

Wow. I assume they got enough private funding?

A long-term plan still needs formulating but it appears they will succeed.

 

[Hollywood3]

New Kittens Have a New Coach

Bert Gilling, formerly an assistant coach from Bemidji, is now in charge of the kitty litter at Mount Royal. He was born in Alexander, Manitoba and played Junior A in Banjoland before heading to the NCAA to play, and then to coach. He inherits a team on the rise and we will soon see if he has the recruiting connections necessary to keep the Blue Kittens in the playoffs ahead of the Green Kittens.

Links:
:. [MRU Story] : [CW Re-post]

 

[Hollywood3]

End of May News Trickle

Well, the Manitoba Bisons have one game scheduled. On Sunday, October 5th they will head down Highway 75 to face the North Dakota Fighting Farmers. The CW schedule has not yet been announced (mid-June is the usual time), but this has the smell of a 3rd game in 3 nights following a season-opening double-header.

There have been no updates at all at GoBisons.ca since the end of the 2013-14 season. They usually announce commitments of new players from late April or early May onwards. The rumoured new Bisons are:
Chad Robinson - C/LW - Brandon/Red Deer (WHL), Neepawa (MJHL)
Rene Hunter - D - Brandon (WHL), Portage (MJHL)
Josh Elmes - D - Fargo/Dubuque (USHL), OCN (MJHL)
Joel Schreyer - F - Blues (MJHL)
Justin Augert - F - Steinbach (MJHL)
Colin Mospanchuk - F - Melville (SJHL), Blues/Terriers (MJHL), Raiders (MMJHL), Medicine Hat (WHL)

Links:
:. [UND Hockey Schedule]

Elite Prospects pages:
:. [Chad Robinson] : [Rene Hunter] : [Josh Elmes]
:. [Joel Schreyer] : [Justin Augert] : [Colin Mospanhuk]

I also saw from Facebook that the Lakehead Thunderwolves announced their new schedule. A quick look confirmed that the OUA schedule was out. They open with a home exhibition series against the Mount Royal Cougars on September 19-20.

There are a number of exhibition games on NCAA team sites, including:
Oct 3 - Western Ontario at Alaska Fairbanks
Oct 4 - Western Ontario at Alaska Anchorage
Oct 4 - NAIT at Minnesota
Oct 4 - McGill at Denver
Oct 5 - McGill at Colorado College
Oct 6 - Lakehead at Minnesota-Duluth
Jan 2 - Minnesota-Duluth at Lakehead
Jan 3 - Minnesota-Duluth at Lakehead

It would appear that UBC and Lethbridge have been replaced from their traditional tours.

Links:
:. [Lakehead Schedule Page]
:. [OUA Announcement] : [OUA Regular Season Schedule]

There is loads of recruiting news for other CIS teams. One name signing is Randy Gazzola from Val-d'Or going to the New Brunswick Varsity Reds. Here's an excerpt from a Yahoo story on him:

A lot of overages will be mum about playing in university hockey, hoping that a pro job materializes. It might yet for Gazzola. He didn't waste any time lining up a CIS spot, committing to UNB and coach Gardiner MacDougall, who's had a number late bloomers sign pro contracts after finishing a degree.

Reinhart's dad, Paul, once said the development debate in hockey isn't major junior vs. NCAA inasmuch as it's Canada's higher education system vs. America's. Gazzola would appear to be a proof of that, but he's careful not to let himself be used that way.

"I'm Canadian, so the Canadian school system is fine for me," he says. "I’ve got a friend at Brown now who’s getting an excellent education. You can get a good education anywhere."

True to form, Gazzola didn't jump for the big shiny thing when deciding which team to join down east, where the Atlantic University Sport league gets prime-time billing. The next two CIS University Cup championships will both be in his old home rink, the Halifax Metro Centre. St. Francis Xavier get the host berth for next season and Saint Mary's will for 2016. To get another chance to win a national championship in your former home arena?

That would seem storybook, but Gazzola saw a bigger picture.

"Saint Mary’s and St. FX, they both pushed that — 'we’re going to be hosting,' " Gazzola said. "That was a big chip. But when I was talking with Gardiner it just felt right."

Links:
:. [Yahoo.com Story]

The AUS has approved a playoff format change.

The AUHC post-season will consist of a best-of-three final playoff series during the years when the Atlantic conference has two guaranteed berths in the CIS championship.

During the years when the conference has more than two berths at the nationals, the AUS championship quarter-final series will be a best-of-three, semifinals a best-of-five and the final will be a best-of-three.

The Atlantic conference is guaranteed three berths in the next two CIS championships being held in Halifax. As a result, it is possible a best-of-three consolation final series will be required to determine the third AUS team. St. Francis Xavier will be the host team next season while Saint Mary’s hosts the following year.

If St. Francis Xavier, in 2015, or Saint Mary’s, in 2016, reach the AUS final, a consolation series will be held.

Links:
:. [Halifax Chronicle-Herald Story]

Speaking of nationals, the expanded 8 team format continues to draw comments. Queen's U's student paper laments that it came a year late for their women's team. But they are happy as heck to have so many berths in nationals.

IMO 3 berths to a conference is a lot. Especially for the OUA. Now they get that every year, and a 4th berth if they host. My proposal would be to have two berths per conference, plus one for the host, and the final spot to go to a wild-card tournament winner. Every semi-final loser who is not the host would enter a last-chance qualifier. It is time to tell the Q to either form a proper league or give up their automatic berth.

Links:
:. [Queen's Journal Story]

This last segment has no links. You know why? No word yet on the on-going sagas in Dalhousie and Ottawa.

The CIS was investigating Dalhouise and were supposed to get a decision by the end of the 2012-13 season. IMO this is worse. The program twists in the wind. I find it hard to beleive that the CIS is being diligent on this file.

Meanwhile, Ottawa is included in the above-noted OUA schedule. Does this mean that the team is no longer "suspended"?

 

[Hollywood3]

First Official Recruits

Well, I post one day and then the next day the Bisons issue a press release to confirm the recruitment of 3 new players, all from the list of rumours. The Bisons often do not make announcements for the recruitment of Junior A grads. Often those players are enrolled at the school but are competing for spots on the team.

The confirmed recruits are:

Chad Robinson - C/LW - Brandon/Red Deer (WHL), Neepawa (MJHL)

- After getting a couple games with Neepawa and Red Deer in his midget year, he went on to play 2 full seasons in Red Deer then started a 3rd before going to Brandon in 2012-13. That was his best season, where he scored 11 goals in 59 games. He was also once on the Western Canadian U17 team.

:. [Elite Prospects] : [Hockey DB]
:. [Wheat Kings] : [WHL]

Rene Hunter - D - Brandon (WHL), Portage (MJHL)

- This kid is a 6'1" defenceman, needed to replace the departing captain, Dane Crowley. Hunter does not have the offensive upside but is lauded for his defensive work. The Bison defence has been their strength for a few seasons now. They had an embarassment of riches with as many as 9 or 10 high quality blueliners in some seasons. The depth has been chipped away. However, with 6 returnees and the addition of Hunter, and some likely recruits from the Junior A ranks for depth players, they should have a solid defence yet again.

:. [Elite Prospects] : [Hockey DB]
:. [Wheat Kings] : [WHL]
:. [Manitoba Hockey News Story]

Joel Schreyer - F - Winnipeg Blues (MJHL)

- The EP stats page is inconsistent with the rest as I post. I saw him play for the Blues in the playoffs and he was one of the key players in their run to a provincial title. Last season he had 20 goals and 21 assists in 55 games. Hopefully, he will have kicked the chewing tobacco habit!

:. [Elite Prospects] : [Hockey DB]
:. [MJHL Stats] : [MJHL Player of the Week]
:. [CTV Chewing Tobacco Story]

With these additions, and the rumoured additions, this is how the Bison line-up for 2014-15 looks right now:

DEFENCE (6+2=8)
3 Pierre Landry
5 Lee Christensen
6 Luke Paulsen
12 Brock Sutherland
24 Travis Bobbee
28 Kyle Rous
* Rene Hunter
? Josh Elmes

FORWARDS (11+4=15)
8 Jory Coates
10 Brendan Rowinski
15 Craig Scott
16 Jesse Paradis
17 Austin Lauder
18 Dylan Kelly
20 Aaron Lewadniuk
21 Taylor Dickin
25 Paul Ciarelli
26 Jon Gaudet
27 Jordan DePape
* Chad Robinson
* Joel Schreyer
? Justin Augert
? Colin Mospanchuk

GOALTENDERS (2+0=2)
34 Deven Dubyk
35 Joey Rewucki

* confirmed new recruit
? rumoured new recruit

There are 22 confirmed players, and 25 if one includes the rumoured players. Of course, not everybody eligible to return comes back. They will need a 3rd goaltender as well. I am wondering if any NCAA players will come over now that they don't have to red-shirt.

Links:
:. [U of M Story] : [Chris D Story]

UBC has announced that Cole Wilson has a tryout with the Washington Capitals.

Links:
:. [UBC Story] : [CW Repost]

The Blue Cougars have announced two more recruits. Cam Maclise is a forward from the Brook Bandits (AJHL) and Mackenzie Johnston is a defenceman from the Saskatoon Blades (WHL). They fit the MRU mold - Maclise is 6'4" and Johnston is 6'2".

Links:
:. [Maclise Story] : [Johnston Story]

 

[Hollywood3]

Four More Recruits Confirmed

The Bisons have lined up four more new recruits, three from the previous rumoured list (all Manitoba boys) and a new goaltender from California. The latest recruits are:

Brendan Jensen - G - Fargo (USHL), Vancouver (WHL), and others

- The Bisons have made a habit of recruiting local boys, and Jensen is definitely NOT local. He is from La Granada, California. Hockey is certainly growing in areas like that. He went to the Vancouver Giants and in 2011 attended the Canucks' rookie camp. After the WHL came the USHL and a trip to Fargo. While there his fellow recruit Josh Elmes must have extolled the virtues of Manitoba. I suspect the Bison goaltending will be a competition this year, similar to what happened after Steve Christie moved on.

:. [Elite Prospects] : [Hockey DB]
:. [NHL] : [Fargo Force]
:. [Vancouver Sun Training Camp Story]

Josh Elmes - D - Dubuque/Fargo (USHL), OCN (MJHL)

- The Bisons are into big guys who have worn letters on their jerseys. Elmes fits the bill on both counts. He is 6'2" and 218 lbs. He started at OCN and then had one last season in the USHL to finish his junior days. The internet also claims he has been in a few scraps.

:. [Elite Prospects] : [Hockey DB]
:. [Our Sports Central Story] : [Fargo Force]

Justin Augert - F - Steinbach (MJHL)

- He's 6-foot-3 and wore a "C". For the Steinbach Pistons. He also weighs 206 lbs and shoots left. He has played four seasons for the Pistons. As I recall, he was fairly quick. If you check the YouTube link you can also find links to more Steinbach On-line stuff for him. The EP stats page is incomplete for 2013-14. The HDB links have him topping 30 goals in each of the last two seasons.

:. [Elite Prospects] : [Hockey DB]
:. [Wikia] : [YouTube - playoff goal]

Colin Mospanchuk - RW - Melville (SJHL), Blues/Portage (MJHL), Medicine Hat (WHL), and Raiders (MMJHL)

- He fits the prototype of a Bison recruit: 6'2", 216 lbs, and was Melville's captain last year. In 2010 he played for the Blues, Medicine Hat, and Team Western U-17s. However in 2011 he returned to Manitoba where he played for the Blues, Portage, and the Raiders all in one season. Things stabilized for him once he went to Banjoland where he stayed for 3 full seasons. He peaked at 20 goals in Junior A.

:. [Elite Prospects] : [Hockey DB]
:. [SJHL Stats] : [SJHL Players to Watch]
:. [WHL]

Here is the updated Bison line-up as it stands, although we never know for sure if some eligible players have chosen to not return to school:

DEFENCE (6+2=8)
3 Pierre Landry
5 Lee Christensen
6 Luke Paulsen
12 Brock Sutherland
24 Travis Bobbee
28 Kyle Rous
* Rene Hunter
* Josh Elmes

FORWARDS (11+4=15)
8 Jory Coates
10 Brendan Rowinski
15 Craig Scott
16 Jesse Paradis
17 Austin Lauder
18 Dylan Kelly
20 Aaron Lewadniuk
21 Taylor Dickin
25 Paul Ciarelli
26 Jon Gaudet
27 Jordan DePape
* Chad Robinson
* Joel Schreyer
* Justin Augert
* Colin Mospanchuk

GOALTENDERS (2+1=3)
34 Deven Dubyk
35 Joey Rewucki
* Brendan Jensen

* confirmed new recruit

Links:
:. [U of M Story] : [Chris D Story]

Still no CW schedule. It is usually out in early June. Hopefully we will see it this week, or early next. Then comes the waiting for exhibition announcements.

 

[Hollywood3]

U of M History: Part I: Memorial Cup, Allen Cup, and World Championship

PART I

This off season I have been looking up old stats and records, and it is a tiresome yet fascinating process. The conference sites do not have an archive. In fact, since the CIS site changed its url there is even less readly accessible information out there than there was just a few short years ago. Nevertheless, I have found some interesting stuff about the early days of University of Manitoba and Western Canadian hockey.

The first Manitoba senior hockey championship was held in 1891-92, and was won by the Winnipeg Victorias, an early rival of the University of Manitoba. The Victorias became the first western Stanley Cup winner when they defeated the Montreal Victorias in 1896. Since these were the days before radio play-by-play he only way to follow was through updates posted at telegraph offices. It must have been like following a game on Twitter now-a-days. This would have to qualify as the first live coverage of a sporting event, as it were. Then, when the team came home, the city held a parade, thus creating the tradition of championship parades.

The University of Manitoba's first recorded foray into hockey then came in 1908-09. A university league was still a decade away. So they entered the Manitoba senior playoffs, where they won 4, lost 3, and placed second to those same Winnipeg Victorias. [LINK] Clearly, from the beginning the U of M Varsity hockey team was rubbing shoulders with the best teams in Manitoba.

In 1910 the U of M Varsity (or “Manitoba Varsity Hockey Club†or, latterly, “Manitoba Bisonsâ€) did one better, winning the Pattison Cup (the Manitoba senior title) with a 6-2 record. They were to have received a challenge for the Allan Cup. However, they got late notice and were unable to make arrangements to head east and the challenge never materialized. These were the days when this was a challenge cup, where the trustees would grant challenges to certain league champions. [LINK] By this time the Stanley Cup had become the trophy for professionals and the Allan Cup was the trophy for amateurs.

In 1911 the U of M played in the 3-team Winnipeg Senior League, while there was a separate 4-team Manitoba Senior League. This set-up prevailed for a number of years. The U of M placed 2nd to the Victorias in 1911 and 1912. [LINK] and [LINK] There is no record of the U of M playing anywhere in 1913. Then WWI came about in 1914, so sport hit a dry spell.

The Western Canadian Intercollegiate Athletic Union (WCIAU) started play in 1918-19 with two teams, the University of Alberta and the University of Saskatchewan. The U of M joined in 1920, and won the league with a 3-1 record. [LINK] Alberta never entered for a 4 year stretch from 1921 to 1924.

The interesting twist is that university teams still played senior hockey, or even junior hockey if they had enough eligible players. (The CIAU and national university championships did not come about until 1961. The first University Cup hockey tournament was not held until 1963.) From 1921 to 1923 the western university winner was granted a berth alongside the various provincial winners in the western Allan Cup playoffs.

In 1921 Saskatchewan beat Manitoba 9-5 on aggregate in a 2-game total-goals series (which was the common playoff format in that era) to win the WCIAU title. [LINK] They were then beaten by the Port Arthur North Ends 17-6 on aggregate in the western Allan Cup playoffs. [LINK]

The 1922 WCIAU competition was a 2-game total-point series, in which Manitoba beat Saskatchewan 9-6. [LINK] That season the U of M also played senior hockey, finishing with a 2-5 record and in 3rd place in the Winnipeg Senior League. [LINK] In the western playoffs the U of M lost to Brandon (from the Manitoba Senior League) 13-7 on aggregate. [LINK]

The 1922 season also saw the advent of the U of M Juniors in the Winnipeg and District Junior Hockey League, the forerunner of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League (MJHL). (They competed in that league every season until 1937.) In 1922 they beat the Tammany Tigers to win the league, then beat Brandon to win the Turnbull Cup (provincial title), then lost to Regina in the Abbott Cup final (western championship). [LINK], [LINK], and [LINK]

There was some controversy in 1923. Manitoba used ineligible players, so Saskatchewan was awarded the WCIAU title. [LINK] At the same time, the U of M went 6-6 in the Manitoba League, where they finished 3rd. Thus, no Allan Cup playdowns for the Herd.

However, Saskatchewan made a noteworthy run at the 1923 Allan Cup. They entered the Western Canadian playdowns and won 3 straight series to take the title. On aggregate scores, they beat the Weyburn Wanderers 5-4, the Vancouver Young Liberals 8-5, and the Souris Elks 7-6. [LINK] Saskatchewan was defeated in the national final by the Toronto Granites 11-2 on aggregate. [LINK]

Meanwhile, the U of M juniors made a run at the 1923 Memorial Cup. They won the league over the Winnipeg Victoria Bisons in the final. [LINK] In rural playdowns the Brandon Tigers beat the Brandon College Caps (predecssors of the Brandon University Bobcats) en route to the provincial final. The U of M beat the Tigers 8-1 in the provincial final. [LINK] (Brandon College later played in the Big Six intermediate league and the WCIAU. I found no other references to them playing junior hockey, although it is likely they did.) In the western playoffs the juniors beat the Calgary Canadians and Fort William Cubs to win the Abbott Cup. [LINK] So it was off to Toronto where they beat the Kitchener Colts 14-6 on aggregate to win the Memorial Cup. [LINK] This was the U of M's first national title, and put the team in the Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame. [LINK]

In 1924 the WCIAU was just a one-game sudden-death playoff, which the U of M won 8-1 over Saskatchewan. [LINK] In senior play the U of M went 5-7 in the Winnipeg League and were tied for 2nd. [LINK] There was no berth for the university winner in the western Allan Cup playdowns from 1924 onwards. At the same time, the U of M junior team went 3-4-1 and finished 3rd in the league.

Following the 1924 season, the U of M did not compete in university hockey until 1928, and then not again until 1940 and 1947.

In 1925 the U of M played only in junior competition. It was quite a strong team, going 9-0 in the season and then beating the Tammany Tigers 5-2 in the final. [LINK] They steamrolled the Portage la Prairie Vics 11-3 to win the Turnbull Cup. [LINK] In the western Memorial Cup playoffs they tied the Regina Pats 9-9 on aggregate and lost the tie-breaker game 4-2. [LINK]

The senior records are sketchy for 1926 and 1927. The U of M did compete in the Winnipeg League in 1926, but results are not availble. In any event, they did not win the league. [LINK] In the Junior League they went 2-5-1 in both 1926 and 1927 and did not qualify for playoffs. [LINK] and [LINK]

1928 was the start of a remarkable period in U of M hockey history. They did play in the WCIAU, where they went 2-2. [LINK-pdf] The U of M were also in the Manitoba-Thunder Bay Senior League where they finished 2nd with a 6-4-1 record. They beat Fort William in the playoffs 3-0 on aggregate. [LINK] In the Western Canadian final they beat the Trail Smoke Eaters 10-0 on aggregate. [LINK] That set up a trip to Montreal where they beat the Montreal Victorias 2-games-to-1 to win the Allan Cup. (Yes, that's the same team beaten by the Winnipeg Victorias for the Stanley Cup back in 1896.) [LINK]

The prize for winning the Allan Cup title was significant. The U of M was off to represent Canada in the 1931 World Championships.

In the meantime, the U of M played one last season of senior hockey in 1929, competing in the Manitoba-Thunder Bay League. They finished first with an 8-1-2 record, then lost the final to Port Arthur 3-2 on aggregate. [LINK] It would appear that this was the end of university teams challenging for the Allan Cup.

The 1931 team competed as the “U of M Gradsâ€. Their European tour lasted from January 13th (when they beat the Berliner Skating Club 5-1) to March 13th (when they beat Scotland 11-1). In that era, a typical season was from sometime around Christmas to the end of March. So this tour was basically the season. Prior to the worlds, they went 11-2-1 in prep games. After the worlds they went 22-0 on tour! Amongst their wins in the post-championship leg of the tour was a 4-0 win over Oxford University. [LINK] and [LINK] That Oxford team won the Spengler Cup in 1931 and 1932. In that era they had many famous Canadians (like Lester Pearson and Roland Michener) play for them, and they won European titles. [LINK]

When at the worlds, the U of M won a qualifying game 9-0 over France, then went 4-0-1 to win the round-robin and gold medal without giving up a goal. The players on the team were: George Garbutt, George Hill, Sammy McCallum, Gord McKenzie, Ward Mcvey, Frank Morris, Jack Pidcock, Art Putee, Blake Watson, and Guy Williamson. They beat Czechoslovakia 2-0, beat Poland 3-0, tied Sweden 0-0, beat Austria 8-0, and beat the USA 2-0. [LINK], [LINK], [LINK], and [TRANSLATION]

Although their keeper Art Puttee has not conceded a goal in the tournament, the Manitoba Grads dropped a point against Sweden. They must win against the Americans to keep the world title in Canada. 2-0 is registered five seconds left by Frank Morris, but the decisive goal is scored after nine minutes before the game by the player featured Blake Watson, a medical student who won the Memorial Cup in 1923 (with University of Manitoba where he graduated, hence its presence in "Grads" - Graduates) with future NHL players and Art Chapman Murray Murdoch. For several years Dr. Watson, fast forward to the insured technique, plays its European opponents with his class because, after Vienna, he joined the LTC Prague, contributing more than anyone in hockey development on the Old Continent. He played briefly with yet Grasshoppers before crossing the Atlantic and become a famous gynecologist in Hollywood and consulted by Greta Garbo and Rita Hayworth.

This team, too, is in the Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame. [LINK]

Meanwhile, the U of M continued to compete in the junior leagues every year until 1937. From 1926 onwards most seasons were unremarkable. [LINK] In 1930 they lost the league final to the Elmwood Millionaires 8-4 on aggregate. [LINK] In 1934 they were first in their division with a 9-1-1 record, but lost the league final to the Kenora Thistles 2-1-1. [LINK]

Hockey at the U of M dwindled after the World Championship season. True, the junior team continued for 6 more years in the MJHL. But without the Allan Cup varsity teams had no national title to chase. In any event, it appears that the era of university teams competing for junior or senior provincial or national honours had gone not only in Manitoba, but throughout Canada. I have seen no records of junior competition past 1937 nor senior competition past 1929 for any university team.

For 1937-57 the only records of the U of M playing the game come from 1940, where they went 1-6-1 [LINK] and 1947, where they went 2-2 (playing 4 point games) [LINK] in the WCIAU.

This brought to an end the early days of the history of Manitoba Bisons hockey. The days of varsity and junior teams competing with both campus and off-campus opponents had come to an end. The days of modern university-vs-university competition were yet to begin.

 

[WilcoxHound]

Hollywood, you sure are hard core hockey. Good on you for providing us with so much over the years.

Your real name isn't Stephen Harper is it? He has a hockey book.




Now, in which Hillbilly province is the Banjo Bowl played?

 

[Hollywood3]

U of M History: Part II: The Intercollegiate Era

PART II

The dry years for university hockey, the depression, and WWII were well in the rear view mirror as the 1950s came about. And intercollegiate sport was about to see a whole new era. However, it did take a while.

The Brandon College Caps made a brief appearance in the WCIAU starting in 1955. They operated in the Big Six Intermediate League from 1950-54. [LINK] The regular season records for that league are quite sparse. [LINK] However, Brandon College appears to have been a bottom-dweller and only once competed in the semi-final playoff round. [LINK] Their 1955 debut in the WCIAU was to be their best season. They went 2-6 and were outscored “only†53-40. [LINK]

University of Manitoba hockey was revived in 1957 and has been played continuously every season since, but for 1962. The WCIAU has more-or-less been a stable outfit making minor strides forward as Western Canada itself grew in size.

The 1957 and 1958 seasons saw the league operate with a record 4 teams, as Brandon College played in 1957 and then became Brandon University in 1958. In three seasons of university hockey, Brandon's cumulative record was 5-27, and they were outscored 257-112. They would not resurface until 1970.

From 1957 to 1961 the U of M finished 2nd twice and 3rd three times. Once Brandon withdrew, the league was down to just 3 teams. In 1962, Manitoba did not compete but UBC did. The 1962 season was the final one under the WCIAU banner. [LINK]

In 1963, the WCIAU became the Western Intercollegiate Athletic Association (WIAA). [LINK] IMO, it can safely be said that 1963 was the beginning of the modern era of the WIAA and its successors. In no season thereafter did the league have fewer than 4 teams. The CIAU, which was created a couple years earlier, held the first University Cup competition.

In any event, “the original four†included one team from each western province. (British California, Saudi Alberta, Banjoland, and Manitoba, in case you hadn't guessed.) UBC took a hiatus in 1965 and 1966, but otherwise all four schools have competed annually ever since. UBC's temporary departure was overcome by Calgary's addition in 1965.

The 1965 season was a memorable one for the U of M. They went 10-2-0 in league play [LINK] to claim the title. They hosted a four-team University Cup where they beat the Laurentian Voyageurs 10-4 and St. Dunstan's Saints (now UPEI Panthers) 9-2 to take the cup. This was their 3rd national title, for three different cups. This became yet another Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame team. [LINK]

Subsequent years saw more teams added. The Winnipeg Wesmen (1969), Brandon Bobcats (1970), and Victoria Vikings (1970) all joined the fray and all have since departed. Brandon was the only one to have experienced some success. Both Winnipeg and Victoria were winless in their first seasons, and Victoria had 3 winless seasons in their 4 year existence. [LINK], [LINK], [LINK], and [LINK]

The WIAA came to an end after the 1972 season. It was split into two new conferences for 1973: the Canada West Universities Athletic Association (CWUAA) and Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC). The CWUAA had Victoria, UBC, Alberta, Calgary, and Saskatchewan. GPAC started with Brandon, Manitoba, Winnipeg, and Lakehead. The Lakehead Norwesters came over from the International Collegiate Hockey Association (ICHA), based in the USA, where they had played since 1965-66. [LINK]

In 1973, Victoria folded their program after their third winless season. They started a team in the BCIHL in the 2005-06 season, where they continue to play. [LINK]

GPAC became the larger conference in 1977 with the addition of the Regina Cougars. They won conference titles in 1978, 1979, 1980, and 1982. Manitoba and Brandon also won four GPAC conference titles, and Lakehead had one. The Manitoba Bisons' GPAC titles were won in 1976, 1977, 1984, and 1985. [LINK]

In 1976 there was no GPAC conference playoff. The top two teams (Manitoba and Brandon) advanced to a western regional tournament. [LINK] They were joined by Calgary and Alberta, where Calgary beat Brandon 6-4 and Alberta beat Manitoba 6-3. Calgary beat Alberta 3-1 in the final. [LINK]

In 1977 there was again no GPAC conference playoff. The first place Bisons took the title then hosted the Toronto Varsity Blues in a best-of-three regional series, and lost 4-2 and 7-4. [LINK] and [LINK]

By 1984 GPAC was holding conference playoffs. Manitoba finished first and had a bye to the final. Brandon beat Regina in the sudden-death semi-final. Manitoba then defeated Brandon 4-5, 9-5, and 8-5 in a best-of-3 series. [LINK] In the western regional, Alberta beat Manitoba 4-2 and 7-1 to win the series 2-0. [LINK]

GPAC and the CIS maintained their same playoff formats in 1985. Manitoba finished first and had a bye to the final. Regina beat Lakehead in the semi-final after Brandon was suspended. Manitoba defeated Regina 3-2 and 8-2 in the final. [LINK] In the western regional, Alberta beat Manitoba 5-1, 1-5, and 6-5 to win the series 2-1. [LINK]

As the 1980s wore on, the programs at Winnipeg and Lakehead started falling apart and it became apparent they were on their last legs. The Wesmen ceased hockey in 1984, and Lakehead ceased all sports after the 1985 season. This led to Manitoba, Brandon, and Regina joining the CWUAA for the 1986 season. Meanwhile, the CWUAA added the Lethbridge Pronghorns in the 1985 season.

The new CWUAA started play in 1986 with 8 teams: UBC, Calgary, Lethbridge, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Regina, Brandon, and Manitoba. [LINK] Brandon folded after the 2002 season and the Mount Royal Cougars were added to start in the 2013 season. [LINK]

In retrospect, the GPAC years were not good for the Manitoba Bisons. Though they won the conference's last two titles, they really should have won it more often. The merger with the CWUAA exposed them to tougher competition and they have become a much better program as a result. In particular, one has to wonder if the 1985 team could have beaten the Alberta Golden Bears had they played just a slightly tougher regular season schedule. In the GPAC years they were battling with the likes of Regina and Brandon. From 1986 onwards they had to be better, and were. In most seasons, they have been part of the western “Big Fourâ€, along with Calgary, Alberta, and Saskatchewan.

For the 1986 to 2002 seasons the CWUAA achieved complete stability, with no additions nor deletions from the league roster. Also, there was perhaps a bit too much stability at the top. The Big Four were the Top Four in 1986 through 1989. Regina then had a few good years, finishing within the Top Four from 1990 to 1995. UBC broke the barrier in 1990. Lethbridge also made the grade in their improbable run to the University Cup in 1994, being coached by Mike Babcock, and stayed through 1996. In those years, Manitoba and/or Saskatchewan were usually the teams knocked down (the exception being Alberta in 1995). From 1997 onwards the only Top Four replacements were: Regina over Manitoba in 2004, Lethbridge and UBC over Calgary and Manitoba in 2007, and Lethbridge for Calgary in 2009. Moreover, Alberta almost always finishes first. Since the 1986 amalgamation the sole exceptions have been Manitoba in 2012, Saskatchewan in 1998 and 2000, Calgary in 1987, 1988, 1990, 1991, and 1996, Lethbridge in 1994, and Regina in 1992. Alberta finished first the other 19 years. [LINK]

Starting in 1998, the CIS re-adopted a 6-team national tournament. Rather than have some conferences get byes to the nationals whilst others had to qualify through preliminary rounds, there were automatic berths given to the CWUAA, AUS, and tournament host. The OUA had two berths, one adopted from the QSSF (now RSEQ). The 6th berth was a wild-card berth rotated between the three conferences. The Bisons twice claimed that berth, in 2005 and 2010. In 2005 the Bisons beat Calgary 3-1 and 5-2 in a qualifying playoff series. [LINK] In 2010 no playoff was required. The Bisons beat Saskatchewan 2-5, 4-2, 5-1 in the semi-finals and then lost to Alberta 4-1, 1-2, 2-4 in the final.

The Bisons' two trips to the nationals in the 2000s were similar, a win over a Quebec-based OUA team to start followed by a loss to the eventual champion. In 2005 they beat the UQTR Patriotes 4-1 and lost 5-1 to the Alberta Golden Bears. [LINK] In 2010 a 5-4 win over the McGill Redmen was followed by a 5-0 loss to the St. Mary's Huskies. [LINK]

Will any new teams come into the CWUAA? Well, rumours surfaced in Brandon and Winnipeg a few years ago. The Brandon rumours disappeared after Andy Murray went into NCAA hockey. Winnipeg appeared to have a women's program ready to go, and even had a deal with the Manitoba Moose to use the MTS Centre for home games. Lloyd Axworthy was even quoted in newspapers speculating about a men's program. They have since started baseball and soccer programs. I would just as soon see those schools follow the lead of second tier leagues like the BCIHL and ACAC and get a league going with the MCAC to include Red River College, Assiniboine College, Canadian Mennonite University, and maybe some North Dakota or Minnesota junior colleges.

In any event: here is a synopsis of past titles won by the University of Manitoba:

JUNIOR
WJHL – 1922, 1923, 1925
Turnbull Cup – 1922, 1923, 1925
Abbott Cup – 1923
Memorial Cup – 1923

SENIOR
Pattison Cup – 1910, 1928
Allan Cup - 1928
World Championship – 1931

UNIVERSITY
WCIAU – 1920, 1922, 1924
WIAA - 1965
GPAC – 1976, 1977, 1984, 1985
University Cup – 1965

 

[TFuel]

Hollywood is the man!!

 

[Hollywood3]

2014-15 Schedule

No announcement has been made, but under "Upcoming Events" on the CW hockey page, there were games for September 2014. When you click the "Schedule" link it goes to 2013-14. But if you alter the url for 2014-15 you get what looks like a schedule!

It starts early. September 24th will see Mount Royal at Lethbridge.

The weird thing is that it is a predominantly Thursday-Friday instead of Friday-Saturday schedule. The Bison home schedule is not great for me.

October
Thu. 2 Regina Manitoba 7:00 PM
Fri. 3 Regina Manitoba 1:00 PM
Thu. 16 Mount Royal Manitoba 7:00 PM
Fri. 17 Mount Royal Manitoba 1:00 PM

November
Thu. 6 Alberta Manitoba 7:00 PM
Fri. 7 Alberta Manitoba 6:00 PM
Thu. 13 Calgary Manitoba 7:00 PM
Fri. 14 Calgary Manitoba 6:00 PM

January
Fri. 2 UBC Manitoba 6:00 PM
Sat. 3 UBC Manitoba 1:00 PM
Thu. 8 Lethbridge Manitoba 7:00 PM
Fri. 9 Lethbridge Manitoba 1:00 PM
Thu. 22 Saskatchewan Manitoba 7:00 PM
Fri. 23 Saskatchewan Manitoba 6:00 PM

Three games on Friday afternoons?

Link: [CW Schedule/Results]

The Winnipeg Blues site claims that two more players have gone to the Bisons. Here's the part about it:

Warren Callis - University of Manitoba - CIS - Warren has played the last three years with the Winnipeg Blues finishing as the team's leading scorer while winning the team's top defensive forward award the past two seasons. Warren was a team captain this past year and will move on to play for Mike Sirant at the University of Manitoba.

Byron Spriggs - University of Manitoba - CIS - Byron has played the last 3 years with the Winnipeg Blues and is coming off a season where he was named the Playoff MVP as well as the Playoff Top Goaltender!

Here's their background:

Byron Spriggs - G - Winnipeg Blues (MJHL)
- Spriggs' goaltending was a key part of the Blues' run to the MJHL title. Often a goaltender comes from Junior A for the 3rd string role. There must be some hope for Spriggs to be like Steve Christie was and one day become a starter from the Junior A ranks.
:. [Elite Prospects (incomplete)] : [Hockey DB]
:. [Manitoba Hockey News Story]

Warren Callis - F - Winnipeg Blues (MJHL)
- He's another 6' forward. He also had 25 goals for the Blues last year.
:. [Elite Prospects (incomplete)] : [Hockey DB]
:. [Blues College Commitments]

The CIS has allowed Mount Royal and UNBC to become full members and MacEwan to be an associate member. MRU has been in CW hockey for 2 years now. UNBC has no hockey program. MacEwan is in the ACAC and likely to remain there for the foreseeable future.

Link: [CIS Story]

 

[CanWestFan]

I think we need to take this schedule with a grain of salt. I have a tough time believing that Thursday-Friday games would be approved by the league as players would be missing tons of school with having to leave on Wednesdays for the majority of their road trips. I like the idea of mid week games for teams that are close to one another (UofC/MRU/UofA, UofS/UofR), as for the most part they won't have to contend with major junior/NHL games on the weekend. The dates could perhaps be a glitch with the launch of the new Canada West website?

 

[Hollywood3]

I think we need to take this schedule with a grain of salt. I have a tough time believing that Thursday-Friday games would be approved by the league as players would be missing tons of school with having to leave on Wednesdays for the majority of their road trips. I like the idea of mid week games for teams that are close to one another (UofC/MRU/UofA, UofS/UofR), as for the most part they won't have to contend with major junior/NHL games on the weekend. The dates could perhaps be a glitch with the launch of the new Canada West website?

I certainly hope so. The players could not realistically attend classes Thursdays or Fridays.

 

[CanWestFan]

Looks like it is a glitch on the new website. According to the schedule on the U of S website, it is Friday/Saturday as usual with the season concluding Jan. 30/31. However, league playoffs don't start until Feb. 20...I assume this is due to the 2015 Winter Universiade in Spain that takes place at the beginning of February?

 

[dale 1919]

CANADA WEST 2014/15 MEN'S HOCKEY SCHEDULE
(As of June 2, 2014)
WEEK DAY DATE VISITOR HOME TIME
1 Thursday September 25, 2014 MRU Lethbridge 7:00 PM
1 Friday September 26, 2014 Manitoba Calgary 7:00 PM
1 Friday September 26, 2014 Regina Saskatchewan 7:00 PM
1 Friday September 26, 2014 Alberta UBC 7:00 PM
1 Saturday September 27, 2014 Manitoba Calgary 6:00 PM
1 Saturday September 27, 2014 Saskatchewan Regina 7:00 PM
1 Saturday September 27, 2014 Lethbridge MRU 7:00 PM
1 Saturday September 27, 2014 Alberta UBC 7:00 PM

2 Friday October 3, 2014 Regina Manitoba 7:00 PM
2 Friday October 3, 2014 UBC Saskatchewan 7:00 PM
2 Friday October 3, 2014 Lethbridge Alberta 7:00 PM
2 Friday October 3, 2014 Calgary MRU 7:00 PM
2 Saturday October 4, 2014 Regina Manitoba 1:00 PM
2 Saturday October 4, 2014 Lethbridge Alberta 6:00 PM
2 Saturday October 4, 2014 MRU Calgary 6:00 PM
2 Saturday October 4, 2014 UBC Saskatchewan 7:00 PM

3 Friday October 10, 2014 Manitoba Saskatchewan 7:00 PM
3 Friday October 10, 2014 Alberta Regina 7:00 PM
3 Friday October 10, 2014 Lethbridge Calgary 7:00 PM
3 Friday October 10, 2014 MRU UBC 7:00 PM
3 Saturday October 11, 2014 MRU UBC 2:00 PM
3 Saturday October 11, 2014 Manitoba Saskatchewan 7:00 PM
3 Saturday October 11, 2014 Alberta Regina 7:00 PM
3 Saturday October 11, 2014 Calgary Lethbridge 7:00 PM

4 Friday October 17, 2014 MRU Manitoba 7:00 PM
4 Friday October 17, 2014 Regina Calgary 7:00 PM
4 Friday October 17, 2014 Saskatchewan Alberta 7:00 PM
4 Friday October 17, 2014 Lethbridge UBC 7:00 PM
4 Saturday October 18, 2014 MRU Manitoba 1:00 PM
4 Saturday October 18, 2014 Regina Calgary 6:00 PM
4 Saturday October 18, 2014 Saskatchewan Alberta 6:00 PM
4 Saturday October 18, 2014 Lethbridge UBC 7:00 PM

5 October 24-25, 2014 BYE

6 Friday October 31, 2014 Manitoba Lethbridge 7:00 PM
6 Friday October 31, 2014 UBC Regina 7:00 PM
6 Friday October 31, 2014 Saskatchewan Calgary 7:00 PM
6 Friday October 31, 2014 Alberta MRU 7:00 PM
6 Saturday November 1, 2014 Saskatchewan Calgary 6:00 PM
6 Saturday November 1, 2014 MRU Alberta 6:00 PM
6 Saturday November 1, 2014 Manitoba Lethbridge 7:00 PM
6 Saturday November 1, 2014 UBC Regina 7:00 PM

7 Friday November 7, 2014 Alberta Manitoba 7:00 PM
7 Friday November 7, 2014 MRU Saskatchewan 7:00 PM
7 Friday November 7, 2014 Calgary UBC 7:00 PM
7 Saturday November 8, 2014 Alberta Manitoba 6:00 PM
7 Saturday November 8, 2014 Regina Lethbridge 7:00 PM
7 Saturday November 8, 2014 MRU Saskatchewan 7:00 PM
7 Saturday November 8, 2014 Calgary UBC 7:00 PM
7 Sunday November 9, 2014 Regina Lethbridge 3:00 PM

8 Friday November 14, 2014 Calgary Manitoba 7:00 PM
8 Friday November 14, 2014 Saskatchewan Regina 7:00 PM
8 Friday November 14, 2014 MRU Lethbridge 7:00 PM
8 Friday November 14, 2014 UBC Alberta 7:00 PM


8 Saturday November 15, 2014 Calgary Manitoba 6:00 PM
8 Saturday November 15, 2014 UBC Alberta 6:00 PM
8 Saturday November 15, 2014 Regina Saskatchewan 7:00 PM
8 Saturday November 15, 2014 Lethbridge MRU 7:00 PM

9 Thursday November 20, 2014 Alberta Calgary 7:00 PM
9 Friday November 21, 2014 Manitoba UBC 7:00 PM
9 Friday November 21, 2014 MRU Regina 7:00 PM
9 Friday November 21, 2014 Saskatchewan Lethbridge 7:00 PM
9 Friday November 21, 2014 Calgary Alberta 7:00 PM
9 Saturday November 22, 2014 MRU Regina 2:30 PM
9 Saturday November 22, 2014 Manitoba UBC 7:00 PM
9 Saturday November 22, 2014 Saskatchewan Lethbridge 7:00 PM

10 Friday November 28, 2014 Manitoba Alberta 7:00 PM
10 Friday November 28, 2014 Lethbridge Regina 7:00 PM
10 Friday November 28, 2014 Saskatchewan MRU 7:00 PM
10 Friday November 28, 2014 UBC Calgary 7:00 PM
10 Saturday November 29, 2014 Lethbridge Regina 2:30 PM
10 Saturday November 29, 2014 Manitoba Alberta 6:00 PM
10 Saturday November 29, 2014 UBC Calgary 6:00 PM
10 Saturday November 29, 2014 Saskatchewan MRU 7:00 PM

BREAK

11 Saturday January 3, 2015 UBC Manitoba 6:00 PM
11 Saturday January 3, 2015 Calgary Alberta 7:00 PM
11 Saturday January 3, 2015 Regina MRU 7:00 PM
11 Saturday January 3, 2015 Lethbridge Saskatchewan 7:00 PM
11 Sunday January 4, 2015 UBC Manitoba 1:00 PM
11 Sunday January 4, 2015 Regina MRU 3:00 PM
11 Sunday January 4, 2015 Alberta Calgary 6:00 PM
11 Sunday January 4, 2015 Lethbridge Saskatchewan 7:00 PM

12 Friday January 9, 2015 UBC MRU 7:00 PM
12 Friday January 9, 2015 Regina Alberta 7:00 PM
12 Friday January 9, 2015 Calgary Saskatchewan 7:00 PM
12 Friday January 9, 2015 Lethbridge Manitoba 7:00 PM
12 Saturday January 10, 2015 Lethbridge Manitoba 1:00 PM
12 Saturday January 10, 2015 Regina Alberta 6:00 PM
12 Saturday January 10, 2015 UBC MRU 7:00 PM
12 Saturday January 10, 2015 Calgary Saskatchewan 7:00 PM

13 Friday January 16, 2015 Saskatchewan UBC 7:00 PM
13 Friday January 16, 2015 Alberta Lethbridge 7:00 PM
13 Friday January 16, 2015 MRU Calgary 7:00 PM
13 Friday January 16, 2015 Manitoba Regina 7:00 PM
13 Saturday January 17, 2015 Manitoba Regina 2:30 PM
13 Saturday January 17, 2015 Calgary MRU 7:00 PM
13 Saturday January 17, 2015 Saskatchewan UBC 7:00 PM
13 Saturday January 17, 2015 Alberta Lethbridge 7:00 PM

14 Friday January 23, 2015 Regina UBC 7:00 PM
14 Friday January 23, 2015 MRU Alberta 7:00 PM
14 Friday January 23, 2015 Calgary Lethbridge 7:00 PM
14 Friday January 23, 2015 Saskatchewan Manitoba 7:00 PM
14 Saturday January 24, 2015 Lethbridge Calgary 6:00 PM
14 Saturday January 24, 2015 Saskatchewan Manitoba 6:00 PM
14 Saturday January 24, 2015 Regina UBC 7:00 PM
14 Saturday January 24, 2015 Alberta MRU 7:00 PM


15 Thursday January 29, 2015 UBC Lethbridge 7:00 PM
15 Thursday January 29, 2015 Manitoba MRU 7:00 PM
15 Thursday January 29, 2015 Alberta Saskatchewan 7:00 PM
15 Thursday January 29, 2015 Calgary Regina 7:00 PM
15 Friday January 30, 2015 UBC Lethbridge 7:00 PM
15 Friday January 30, 2015 Alberta Saskatchewan 7:00 PM
15 Friday January 30, 2015 Calgary Regina 7:00 PM
15 Friday January 30, 2015 Manitoba MRU 7:00 PM

16 February 6-7, 2015 FISU BYE
17 February 13-14, 2015 FISU BYE

PLAYOFFS

18 February 20-22, 2015 CW Quarter-Finals (6 @ 3 / 5 @ 4 - Best 2 of 3)

19 Feb. 27-Mar. 1, 2015 CW Semi-Finals (Highest rank remaining @ 2 - Best 2 of 3)
19 Feb. 27-Mar. 1, 2015 CW Semi-Finals (Lowest rank remaining @ 1- Best 2 of 3)

20 March 5-7, 2015 CW Final @ highest rank remaining team - Best 2 of 3

21 March 12-15, 2015 CIS Championship Halifax (SMU / STFX)

NOTE:
No conference nor non-conference games are to be played October 24/25, 2014 or between February 1 and 19, 2015.

just thought i could help

 

[Hollywood3]

Schedule Corrections?

So, the CW link still has what I hope is a wrong schedule: http://www.canadawest.org/sports/mice/2014-15/schedule?confonly=1 The U of M link has what I hope is right: http://gobisons.ca/schedule.aspx?path=mhockey So far no "official" announcement has been released by the CWUAA.

I am not a big fan of Saturday afternoon games, and there are three of them, plus one Sunday. Still better than Friday afternoon! The non-conference games are not up yet. It looks like the conference will converge on Regina the September 12th weekend and on Edmonton the September 19th weekend.

The Bison link has this for home games:

Oct 03 7PM Regina
Oct 04 1PM Regina
Oct 17 7PM Mount Royal
Oct 18 1PM Mount Royal
Nov 07 7PM Alberta
Nov 08 6PM Alberta
Nov 14 7PM Calgary
Nov 15 6PM Calgary

Jan 03 6PM UBC
Jan 04 1PM UBC
Jan 09 7PM Lethbridge
Jan 10 1PM Lethbridge
Jan 23 7PM Saskatchewan
Jan 24 6PM Saskatchewan

Here are the other teams' schedule links and status:
Alberta: nothing: http://athletics.ualberta.ca/teams/hockey-m/schedule
Calgary: conference only: http://www.godinos.com/schedule.aspx?path=mhockey&
Lethbridge: still on 2013-14: http://gohorns.ca/schedule.aspx?path=mhockey
Mount Royal: still on 2013-14: http://www.mrucougars.com/schedule.aspx?path=mhockey
Regina: conference only: http://www.reginacougars.com/schedule.aspx?path=mhockey
Saskatchewan: no page for their hockey team! http://huskies.usask.ca/
UBC: conference only: http://www.gothunderbirds.ca/schedule.aspx?path=mhockey

It will be useful to check the team schedule links in coming weeks as the non-conference games are added.

I do not like the timing of the Universiade. There will be a 2 week gap between the regular season and the quarter-finals, and a 2 week gap for the top 2 teams with byes to the semi-finals. IMO if they want a Canadian team they should play it in early January.

The unwanted ripple effect is that the opportunities for CW teams to play non-conference games is greatly reduced.

With the recruits from the Blues, this is the potential updated Bison training camp roster:

DEFENCE (6+2=8)
3 Pierre Landry
5 Lee Christensen
6 Luke Paulsen
12 Brock Sutherland
24 Travis Bobbee
28 Kyle Rous
* Rene Hunter
* Josh Elmes

FORWARDS (11+5=16)
8 Jory Coates
10 Brendan Rowinski
15 Craig Scott
16 Jesse Paradis
17 Austin Lauder
18 Dylan Kelly
20 Aaron Lewadniuk
21 Taylor Dickin
25 Paul Ciarelli
26 Jon Gaudet
27 Jordan DePape
* Chad Robinson
* Joel Schreyer
* Justin Augert
* Colin Mospanchuk
* Warren Callis

GOALTENDERS (2+2=4)
34 Deven Dubyk
35 Joey Rewucki
* Brendan Jensen
* Byron Spriggs

* new recruit

 

[Hollywood3]

Two CW Coaches to NHL

The Vancouver Canucks and Carolina Hurricanes have recently hired new coaches. Both are former coaches in the CW.

Willie Desjardins will now be coaching the Canucks. He formerly coached the Calgary Dinos, starting there when a student and then taking the head reigns when George Kingston left to ultimately coach the San Jose Sharks in the NHL. Desjardins led Bedrock U to a CW title in 1990.

Former Lethbridge Pronghorns' coach Bill Peters will be coaching the Hurricanes next year. He coached the H0rny Ones for 3 dismal seasons, 2002-05, where they went 17-59-8. He follows his mentor and also former H0rny One Mike Babcock to the NHL. I doubt he looked at theat record as a stepping-stone to the NHL at the time.

In addition to Kingston and Babcock, several other CW alumni have coached in the NHL. Local boys Barry Trotz, Andy Murray, and Wayne Fleming come to mind. And, of course, there is also Dave King from Sask.

Links:
:. [U of C Story] : [Reposted at CW] : [CP Story]
:. [U of L Story] : [Reposted at CW]