Sitting third in Canada West with a 14-4-2 record through 20 games, the Golden Bears Hockey team made a splash with a pair of signings over the winter break. Former WHL standouts Aidan de la Gorgendiere and Connor McClennon join the 16-time U SPORTS Champions, as the team aims for a second CW title in three seasons, and their first University Cup title since 2018. 

Both de la Gorgendiere and McClennon spent the first half of the 2023/24 season playing professionally, following remarkable junior careers in the Western League. Both new Bears were named WHL All-Stars in 2022/23. 

de la Gorgendiere spent parts of six seasons with the Saskatoon Blades, acting as the Blades captain in both 2021/22 and 2022/23. The 6-1 left shot defenceman recorded 22 goals and 133 assists in 248 games with the Blades, highlighted by a 65-point campaign last year. He spent the first half of the season with the Atlanta Gladiators of the ECHL, an affiliate of the Nashville Predators. 

"Aidan is a great two-way defenseman who will contribute offensively and defensively to our team and in all situations," said Stan Marple, GM of Golden Bears Hockey. "Aidan started the season playing pro hockey in the ECHL, but has decided to access his WHL scholarship and further develop his hockey and academic career with us. He is a proven leader, who has been wearing a letter for the Saskatoon Blades for the past three seasons and whom he played his entire WHL career with." 

Like de la Gorgendiere, McClennon also spent his entire WHL career with one franchise, spending six seasons with the Winnipeg/Kootenay Ice. The 5-8 right-shot winger recorded in 138 goals and 146 assists in 243 career games with the Ice, which included a 46-goal, 92-point season in 2022/23. McClennon was selected 178th overall in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft by the Philadelphia Flyers. 

McClennon spent the first half of the season with the Chicago Wolves in the American Hockey League. 

"Connor is a very gifted play-maker and goal scorer and possesses skills that are hard to teach," continued Marple. "Another WHL All-Star last season, Connor put together a tremendous season with 46 goals and 94 points in 64 games, followed by another 14 goals and nine assists in 19 playoff games. Like Aidan, Connor also played for Team Canada at the U18 level" 

Aidan de la Gorgendiere

YEAR	TEAM	GP	GOALS	ASSISTS	POINTS
2018/19	Saskatoon Blades (WHL)	47	0	5	5
2019/20	Saskatoon Blades (WHL)	63	4	24	28
2020/21	Saskatoon Blades (WHL)	18	2	10	12
2021/22	Saskatoon Blades (WHL)	54	4	41	45
2022/23	Saskatoon Blades (WHL)	65	12	53	65
2023/24	Atlanta Gladiators (ECHL)	10	1	4	5

Connor McClennon

YEAR	TEAM	GP	GOALS	ASSISTS	POINTS
2018/19	Kootenay Ice (WHL)	46	14	15	29
2019/20	Winnipeg Ice (WHL)	42	21	28	49
2020/21	Winnipeg Ice (WHL)	24	14	19	33
2021/22	Winnipeg Ice (WHL)	62	43	38	81
2022/23	Winnipeg Ice (WHL)	64	46	46	92
2023/24	Chicago Wolves (AHL)	7	0	1	1