EDMONTON – The 16-time University Cup champion Golden Bears hockey team has announced their 2021/22 recruiting class, with eight new members joining the Evergreen & Gold this fall.
One goalie (
Nick Schneider), two defenceman (
Wyatt McLeod, Carter Wolski), and five forwards (
Brandon Cutler, Eric Florchuk, Gary Haden, Josh Prokop, Matthew Wedman) will join the Bears this season, with seven of the eight having Western Hockey League experience.
No shorter than 16 Bears will make their debut this season, along with the
seven recruits from 2020/21, as well as 2019/20 recruit
Matt Fonteyne, who were all unable to play in 2020/21 after the Canada West season was lost due to the COVID-19 Pandemic.
The eight newest members of the Bears have combined for 1,643 games in the Western Hockey League, recording 330 goals and 499 assists, along with 131 combined games of professional hockey experience.
"It is an exciting time of the year. We have an outstanding recruiting class joining Golden Bears Hockey this fall," said Bears head coach
Ian Herbers. "Over the last two seasons we have had several quality people graduate from the program. Being able to fill these holes was a challenge for Stan and myself this spring and summer. But we have been fortunate and have strengthened our team in all three positions.
All our new student/athletes have been leaders on their junior teams with some of them experiencing a taste of pro hockey. These young men possess intangibles that we look for in our players; work ethic, commitment, compete, passion, ability, and a strong desire to keep developing."
The newest Bears will all jump into key roles immediately, with the graduation and departure a large portion of the 2019/20 team. Captain Ryan Rehill graduated from the Faculty of Education in the spring, while
Cole Sanford, Trevor Cox,
Steven Owre,
Chad Butcher, and
Tyler Soy all signed professional contracts.
Coming off the lost 2020/21 season, head coach
Ian Herbers and the squad have a loaded slate of non-conference games, ahead of their Canada West opener on October 15
th.
Alberta will host Red Deer College on September 10
th and 11
th at Clare Drake Arena, before hosting MRU (Sept. 17), Calgary (Sept. 24), MacEwan (Oct. 1) and Saskatchewan (Oct. 8th & 9th) at home in late September and early October.
Season tickets for the Bears are now on sale, and can be purchased
HERE.
To view the full 2021/22 schedule,
CLICK HERE.
Position: Goalie
Hometown: Leduc, Alberta
Height: 6-2
Weight: 180
Previous Team: Kansas City Mavericks (ECHL)
GM Stan Marple: "Nick is joining us after finishing an entry-level contract with the Calgary Flames. A local product, Nick is a hard working goaltender, who brings a great attitude to our program, and gives us some depth between the pipes. He has three years of eligibility remaining, and is hoping to complete a combined Native Studies/Education degree."
Photo Credit: Candice Ward
Position: Defence
Hometown: Dawson Creek, BC
Height: 6-3
Weight: 202
Previous Team: Utah Grizzlies (ECHL)
GM Stan Marple: "Wyatt is a big, strong, mobile defenseman that moves the puck well and has very good one-on-one skills, particularly in the defensive zone. He protects the middle of the ice very well, keeps offensive players to the outside and takes away their time and space very effectively. He is another one of our recruits who had a taste of pro hockey before coming to the UofA."
Photo Credit: Keith Hershmiller
Position: Defence
Hometown: Sexsmith, Alberta
Height: 5-10
Weight: 170
Previous Team: Red Deer College (ACAC)
GM Stan Marple: "Carter is a mobile defenceman who is an excellent skater, who will be joining the Faculty of Kinesiology, Sport, and Recreation. He had a strong AJHL career with Grande Prairie and Brooks, before putting together a strong rookie season with Red Deer College in 2019/20. Carter has four years of eligibility remaining and we are very happy to have added another excellent puck moving defenseman to the team."
Photo Credit: Red Deer College Athletics
Position: Left Wing
Hometown: Spruce Grove, AB
Height: 6-1
Weight: 195
Previous Team: Victoria Royals (WHL)
GM Stan Marple: "Brandon is a gritty, hardworking forward, who will make his teammates better with his high work rate and complete level. We are excited to see Brandon fulfill his potential as a student-athlete with the Golden Bears. A player who consistently put up good numbers in junior, Brandon also brings an edge to his game that will be well received by his teammates."
Photo Credit: Paige Bednorz
Position: Centre
Hometown: Fort Saskatchewan, AB
Height: 6-2
Weight: 195
Previous Team: Vancouver Giants (WHL)
GM Stan Marple: "Eric is a 6-2 forward from Fort Saskatchewan, and was a former seventh round draft pick of the Washington Capitals. He is a very skilled forward with good size, who is strong on the puck. He possesses the ability and hockey IQ to play in all situations for us."
Photo Credit: Paige Bednorz
Position: Centre
Hometown: Airdrie, AB
Height: 5-10
Weight: 185
Previous Team: Victoria Royals
GM Stan Marple: "Gary has been a consistent offensive player in the WHL, scoring points in 73% of the games he played in. A very skilled player with a knack of scoring goals, Gary had a point a game in his last two seasons in the WHL. We are looking forward to seeing Gary score some more wearing Green and Gold this season."
Photo Credit: Jay Stewart
Position: Right Wing
Hometown: Edmonton, AB
Height: 5-11
Weight: 190
Previous Team: Calgary Hitmen (WHL)
GM Stan Marple: "Another recruit from Edmonton, Josh spent his final WHL season as the captain of the Calgary Hitmen. Josh is coming off an excellent season with the Hitmen, averaging over a point a game during this past shortened COVID season. Josh has great offensive instincts and is also very responsible defensively. He is going to be an awesome Golden Bears and we are very pleased he has decided to attend the University of Alberta this fall."
Photo Credit: Candice Ward
Position: Centre
Hometown: Edmonton, AB
Height: 6-3
Weight: 209
Previous Team: Greenville Swamp Rabbits (ECHL)
GM Stan Marple: "Matt is a big power forward who can play centre or wing, who at 6-3 and 210lbs, is very tough to contain. This was evident from the 43 goals he scored in 72 games for Seattle during the 2018/2019 season. A draft pick of the Florida Panthers in the 2019 NHL Draft, Matthew also got a taste of pro hockey last season, playing 34 games with Greenville in the ECHL."
Photo Credit: Marissa Baecker
