It's not a phrase heard commonly around the Golden Bears Hockey program, but the 16-time University Cup Champions are unquestionably looking for a 'bounce-back season'.

Entering the 2019/20 playoffs as the No.1 overall seed in Canada West, the Bears were dispatched by the UBC Thunderbirds in one of the most shocking playoff upsets in conference history. With COVID-19 canceling the 2020/21 season, the Bears have had to wait nearly 20 months to begin their revenge tour.

Similar to the Pandas, the Bears return with a new look, as 16 of the 23 Bears on the 2021 roster have yet to play in a conference game in their careers. Also like the Pandas, however, a strong recruiting class in both 2020 and 2021, along with a strong returning core, have the Bears ranked #1 in the pre-season coaches poll. A fourth Canada West title in five seasons, and a second University Cup title in three seasons are both within grasp of the young and talented Bears this season. 

Among the key returners include former CW All-Stars Grayson Pawlenchuk and newly minted captain Clayton  Kirichenko, along with starting goaltender Matt Berlin. 

To open the 2021/22 campaign, the Alberta men head to Calgary to take on the third-ranked Mount Royal Cougars, a team they have dominated, winning 18 of their previous 20 overall matchups. 
 

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SEASON PREVIEW

2019-20 CW regular season record: /23-5-0/, 1^st  
2019-20 post-season record: /1-2/, L to UBC – CW Semifinal
Head Coach: Ian Herbers / 7^th Year / 119-21 CW Record
 
Last CW championship / total CW championships: 2019 / 55
Last CIS championship / total CIS 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 Players):
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 Mckinney-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