CHL grads lead Alberta to University Cup title
23 Canadian Hockey League graduates helped the University of Alberta Golden Bears to a record 14th University Cup title following a 3-1 victory over the host Saskatchewan Huskies in the CIS men’s hockey championship final.
It was the first national championship since 2008 for the Bears, who were skating in their 19th CIS title match, another all-time mark. With the win, Alberta improved to 6-0 overall this season against its archrival from the Canada West conference.
The final of the PotashCorp University Cup presented by Co-op was played in front of 6,289 fans at Credit Union Centre, lifting the seven-game total to 41,089, a new standard for the 52-year-old tournament. The previous standard of 40,956 had been set in 2000 at Credit Union Centre, then known as Saskatchewan Place.
Levko Koper (Spokane Chiefs grad) scored twice, including the game-winner, to lead the top-seeded Bears to victory. Jordan Hickmott (Edmonton Oil Kings grad) also scored for Alberta, with Derek Hulak (Saskatoon Blades grad) scoring the lone goal for the Huskies. Kurtis Mucha (Kamloops Blazers grad) made 20 saves in goal for the win.
TOURNAMENT HONOURS
MVP (Major W.J. ‘Danny’ McLeod Award): Derek Hulak (Saskatoon Blades), Saskatchewan
All-Tournament Team:
Goaltender: Jacob Gervais-Chouinard (Sherbrooke Phoenix), McGill
Defenceman: Jesse Craig (Chilliwack Bruins), Alberta
Defenceman: Kendall McFaull (Moose Jaw Warriors), Saskatchewan
Forward: Derek Hulak (Saskatoon Blades), Saskatchewan
Forward: Brett Ferguson (Red Deer Rebels), Alberta
Forward: Kruise Reddick (Tri-City Americans), Alberta
A total of 114 CHL graduates competed on the six teams in the 2014 University Cup Championship representing 70% of all players in the tournament. Six recipients of CIS All-Canadian Awards and 100% of the All-Canadian and All-Rookie Teams for the 2013-14 season are also CHL graduates, including CIS Hockey Player of the Year Liam Heelis of the Acadia Axemen who finished his four year OHL career with the Owen Sound Attack in 2011.
Click here to see all 2013-14 CIS Award winners and All-Canadian teams.
CHL graduates are able to compete in CIS hockey programs and receive their education paid for by taking advantage of the Scholarship Programs throughout the CHL which are funded by the member clubs of the Western Hockey League, the Ontario Hockey League, and the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. One year of college or university tuition and books is offered for each year of CHL play.
Alberta Golden Bears (23 CHL grads):
Jarrett Toll (Tri-City Americans 2010)
Brennan Yadlowski (Everett Silvertips 2012)
Thomas Carr (Medicine Hat Tigers 2011)
Drew Nichol (Edmonton Oil Kings 2010)
Brett Ferguson (Red Deer Rebels 2011)
Jonny Lazo (Tri-City Americans 2010)
Jamie Crooks (Victoria Royals 2013)
Kruise Reddick (Tri-City Americans 2011)
Jordan Hickmott (Edmonton Oil Kings 2011)
Colin Joe (Saskatoon Blades 2009)
Sean Ringrose (Medicine Hat Tigers 2009)
T.J Foster (Edmonton Oil Kings 2013)
James Dobrowolski (Prince George Cougars 2011)
Zack Dailey (Everett Silvertips 2010)
Rhett Rachinski (Edmonton Oil Kings 2012)
Jesse Craige (Chilliwack Bruins 2010)
Ian Barteaux (Kootenay Ice 2009)
Luke Siemens (Prince Albert Raiders 2013)
Kurtis Mucha (Kamloops Blazers 2010)
Travis Toomey (Seattle Thunderbirds 2011)
Levko Koper (Spokane Chiefs 2011)
Jordan Rowley (Prince Albert Raiders 2011)
Barron Smith (Peterborough Petes 2011)
About Canadian Interuniversity Sport
Canadian Interuniversity Sport is the national governing body of university sport in Canada. Every year, 11,000 student-athletes and 700 coaches from 55 universities and four regional associations vie for 21 national championships in 12 different sports. CIS also provides high performance international opportunities for Canadian student-athletes at Winter and Summer Universiades, as well as numerous world university championships. For further information, visit www.cis-sic.ca or follow us on:
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/CIS_SIC
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/cissports
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/universitysport