Canada West Spotlight

2006-07 CANADA WEST CONFERENCE SEASON PREVIEW — The 2006-07 CIS Canada West schedule is officially underway.
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rThe University of Alberta Golden Bears – two-time defending University Cup champions – look to be a contender yet again with a star-studded roster. However, they will face stiff competition as several teams reloaded with top-end talent over the summer, including many WHL graduates.
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rHere’s a quick look at the seven teams who will compete for the 2006-07 Canada West crown:
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rAlberta Golden Bears
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r2005-06 Conference Record: 21-5-2 (1st in Conference)
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r2006 Playoffs: Canada-West conference champions, CIS University Cup Champions.
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rKey Losses: F Ben Thomson, D Gavin McLeod, F Brad Tutschek
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rKey WHL Recruits: F Chad Klassen, F Dale Mahovsky, F Ian McDonald,
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rNo. of WHL Grads: 23
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rThe Alberta Golden Bears are coming off their CIS-record 12th National championship, and their second consecutive University Cup. Despite losing key veterans from their last two championship teams, expectations remain high for the University of Alberta squad. WHL stars Ian McDonald, Chad Klassen, Dale Mahovsky and Brian Woolger will greatly add to an already potent offense that already includes Dylan Stanley and Tyler Metcalfe. Former WHL defensemen Derek Price, Kyle Fecho and Mark Ashton strengthen a very solid blue line. Former WHL netminders Aaron Sorochan – the reigning CIS Rookie of the Year – and Blake Grenier give the Bears a top-end goaltending tandem.
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rU.B.C Thunderbirds
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r2005-06 Conference Record: 12-15-1 (5th in Conference)
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r2006 Playoffs: Lost in three games to Calgary Dinos in Division semi-final.
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rKey Losses: F Dustin Paul, F Tyler Dietrich, F Peter Hay
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rKey WHL Recruits: F Mitch Bartley, F Matt Schneider, F Marc Desloges
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rNo. of WHL Grads: 14
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rThe University of British Columbia Thunderbirds have high hopes for the 2006-07 season after posting their best record in 16 years last season. The team may have lost a few skilled players up front, but has successfully recruited scoring punch with the addition of Mitch Bartley, a perennial 30-goal scorer in the WHL, Marc Desloges and former Tri-City Americans captain Matt Schneider. Sophomore Darrell May – another WHL grad – will look to improve upon a solid freshman campaign last year. Having a healthy Scott Lynch patrolling the blue line should help the team keep goals out. Former WHL netminder Gerry Festa, in his second season with the T-Birds, gives U.B.C a solid number one goaltender.
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rCalgary Dinos
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r2005-06 Conference Record: 13-13-2 (3rd in Conference)
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r2006 Playoffs: Lost in two games to Alberta Golden Bears in Division final.
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rKey Losses: F Wes Reid, D Drew Campbell
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rKey WHL Recruits: F Luke Hunter, D Conlan Seder, G Jordan McLaughlin
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rNo. of WHL Grads: 21
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rThe Calgary Dinos look to take step forward in their quest to dethrone the Alberta Golden Bears in the Mountain Division. The Dinos didn’t lose much in the off-season, but they gained quite a bit. The biggest additions for the Dinos come on the blue line, where former WHLers Danny Ehrman and Conlan Seder come in to strengthen a defense corps already consisting of converted forward Brett O’Malley, and veterans Travis Friedley and Wade Davis. Up front, the Dinos added some strength with former WHLers Luke Hunter and Kyle Annesley, who joins his brother and Dinos veteran Ryan. Sophomores Jarret Lukin, Aaron Richards and Tyrel Lucas will look to improve upon strong rookie campaigns and lead the Dinos’ attack. The Dinos also picked up former WHL netminder Jordan McLaughlin to complement sophomore Scott Talbot.
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rLethbridge Pronghorns
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r2005-06 Conference Record: 4-20-4 (7th in Conference)
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r2006 Playoffs: Missed the Playoffs
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rKey Losses: F Charlie Mattersdorf, D Dan Kitching
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rKey Recruits: F Kris Deines, F Mark Shefchyk, D Devin Featherstone
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rNo. of WHL Grads: 11
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rThe Lethbridge Pronghorns added some solid WHL graduates to their roster for the upcoming season, giving them the opportunity to climb back into post-season contention. The team returns three of their top scorers from last season, including former WHLers Shaun Norrie and Jason Roberts. They also recruited former WHLer Mark Shefchyk to add offensive punch, and Kris Deines to bring leadership and help the penalty-killing unit. Defensively, the Pronghorns added solid rearguards in former WHLers Devin Featherstone and Shawn Mezei. Former Seattle Thunderbirds goaltender Blake Ward returns to the Pronghorns’ netminding staff.
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rManitoba Bisons
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r2005-06 Conference Record: 12-13-4 (4th in Conference)
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r2006 Playoffs: Lost in two games to Saskatchewan Huskies in Division final.
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rKey Losses: F Kevin Saurette, F Paul Deniset, F Warren McCutcheon
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rKey Recruits: F Stewart Thiessen, F Calin Wild
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rNo. of WHL Grads: 12
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rThe Manitoba Bisons enter their first season without coach Mike Sirant behind the bench. The team lost several of their impact veterans from last year including top scorers Paul Deniset, Kevin Saurette and Warren McCutcheon. However, former Prince George Cougar Chris Falloon will look to take on a bigger scoring role in his third season, while former Saskatoon Blade Aaron Starr will also be expected to contribute more up front. Former WHLer Stewart Thiessen joins returning rearguards Rob Smith and Jared Lang on what should be a dependable, solid blue line. Workhorse goaltender Krister Toews, a former Portland Winter Hawk, also returns as the Bison’s main puck-stopper.
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rRegina Cougars
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r2005-06 Conference Record: 10-16-2 (6th in Conference)
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r2006 Playoffs: Lost in three games to Regina Cougars in Division semi-final.
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rKey Losses: D Josh Garbutt, F Lance Herauf, F Chad Anderson
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rKey Recruits: F Jordan McGillivray, D Brennan Chapman, F Rylan Gebhart
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rNo. of WHL Grads: 14
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rThe Regina Cougars look to improve upon last season’s third-place finish in the Division. The team may have lost impact players like Josh Garbutt and Lance Herauf, but they gained some solid players by recruiting former WHLer Jordan McGillivray to bolster the offense, and WHL grad Brennan Chapman to strengthen the blue line. Former Prince Albert Raider Caine Pearpoint and ex-Moose Jaw Warriors Jason Weitzel return to lead the attack, while Scott Haggarty and Pat Baum return to help the defense corps. The Cougars also recruited WHL grad Adam Ward to back up number one goaltender Clint Chalmers, himself a former Tri-City American.
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rSaskatchewan Huskies
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r2005-06 Conference Record: 17-7-4 (2nd in Conference)
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r2006 Playoffs: Lost to Golden Bears in Canada-West final. Finished 3rd at University Cup.
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rKey Losses: F Dean Beuker, G Thomas Vicars, D Bryce Thoma
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rKey Recruits: F Jonathan Bubnick, F Colin Patterson, D Greg Park
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rNo. of WHL Grads: 20
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rThe Saskatchewan Huskies look to continue their long history of on-ice success, and earn yet another trip to the University Cup tournament. The team suffered a big loss up front with the graduation of top scorer Dean Beuker. However, the impact of his departure will be greatly reduced with the recruitment of proven WHL scorers Jon Bubnick and Colin Patterson. Along with returnees Brent Twordik and Trent Adamus, and Prince Albert Raiders grads Brett Novak and Brad Erickson, the Huskies should be formidable in the offensive zone. On the blue line, WHL vets Greg Park and Evan Schafer join returnees Stephen Mann and Brett Dickie, giving the Huskies plenty of defensive depth. The departure of Thomas Vicars leaves the door open for former Everett Silvertip Jeff Harvey to assume the number one role. Former Saskatoon Blade Russel Monette comes in to fill the back-up role.
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rFor more Canada West Hockey coverage and links to Canada West teams, visit the Canada West Website.
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