EDMONTON – In arguably their biggest recruiting class under head coach Ian Herbers and general manager Stan Marple, the Golden Bears Hockey team has added 11 recruits ahead of the 2024/25 season.

10 of the 11 recruits have Western Hockey League experience, with the group combining for 2,035 games, 411 goals, 598 assists, 1,009 points, 66 wins and five shutouts. Six of the 11 recruits are forwards, three are defenceman, with two goalies also joining the 56-time Canada West Champion Bears. 

"As we kick off the season, I couldn't be more excited about this year's recruiting class. The energy and skill these players bring are exactly what we need to take our game to the next level," said Herbers. "They've already shown incredible promise in practices, and I'm confident they'll make a significant impact as we start competing. This group has all the potential to push us toward a very successful season, and I'm eager to see them in action and how they will mesh with our talented group of seasoned veterans." 

While their rookie class is substantial, the Golden Bears do return a veteran core. The key returners are highlighted by captain Josh Prokop (F), Eric Florchuk (F), Tyler Preziuso (F), Aidan de la Gorgendiere (D), Blake Gustafson (D) and Ethan Kruger (G). 

"We needed to have a good off season in regard to recruiting, as we know that all the other teams in Canada West have stepped it up in regard to their competitiveness and complete level in that regard. With so many of our players moving on to pro almost every year, sometimes with eligibility remaining, we needed to address some depth issues that we had in our lineup last year, and with this year's recruiting class, we have definitely done that," said Marple. "Coach Herbers and I are very happy with the recruits we that will help us build a great foundation for the next 4/5 years. These men will all go on to do great things, both on the ice for the Golden Bears and also academically and professionally once they graduate from the UofA."

The 2024/25 Canada West season will begin on October 4th, with the Golden Bears visiting MacEwan on Friday night, before hosting the Griffins on Saturday night at Clare Drake Arena. 
 

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#8 Elias Carmichael

Position: Defence (6-3, 192)
2023/24 Team: Red Deer Rebels
Hometown: Langley, BC

Stan Marple: Elias a 6-3 defenceman who is solid defensively, moves the puck well, and is a five-year graduate of the WHL. A great team guy and natural leader, we look forward to having Elias playing for Bears Hockey this season. Elias will be working towards a BA in Economics at the UofA.

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#36 Brett Hyland

Position: Forward (5-11, 195)
2023/24 Team: Brandon Wheat Kings
Hometown: Edmonton, AB

Stan Marple: Another recruit from Edmonton, Brett played his minor hockey with CAC Canadians and played his entire WHL career with the Brandon Wheat Kings. In 195 games with the Wheat Kings Brett had 75 goals and 70 assists. Brett is a strong skater who plays a 200 foot game. Brett was a 7th round pick of the Washington Capitals in 2023 and has just returned to Edmonton from their training camp. A natural leader, we are looking forward to the very positive impact we know Brett will have on this team. Brett is enrolled in the Faculty of Business at the UofA. 

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#27 Marc Lajoie

Position: Defence (6-6, 227)
2023/24 Team: Edmonton Oil Kings
Hometown: St. Albert, AB

Stan Marple: We say this both literally and figuratively, signings at the U SPORTS level do not come much bigger than Marc! He is a 6-6, 220 pound defenseman who had an outstanding WHL career with the Tri City Americans and the Edmonton Oil Kings. Marc will play in all situations for us this season. He had an exceptional last year of major junior with the Oil Kings. In 68 games last season Marc found the twine from the point 26 times and added 32 assists for 58 points, on a team that was in a rebuilding phase and did make the play-offs. We are very happy Marc decided to follow his father Serge, and his older Sisters Izzy's lead, and play hockey for the UofA. Marc is currently working towards a BA in sociology.

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#20 Vincent Lamanna

Position: Forward (6-2, 200)
2023/24 Team: Fort McMurray Oil Barons
Hometown: Cardiff, AB

Stan Marple: Vincent is 6-2 forward from the lovely hamlet of Cardiff, Alberta just north of the Edmonton. Vincent played four years of junior Hockey — two in the AJHL with Bonneville and Fort MacMurray and two in the WHL with the Everett Silvertips. Vincent is a skilled forward with good size and will give us depth and lots of options up front, as he has played all three forward positions during his junior career. Vincent is enrolled in the faculty of Arts at the UofA. 

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#15 Tyson Laventure

Position: Forward (6-3, 200)
2023/24 Team: Victoria Royals
Hometown: Leoville, SK

Stan Marple: Tyson is a 6-3 power forward from Lloydminster, who has a nice touch around the net. He is another WHL graduate who played over 250 games with Prince Albert, Lethbridge, Swift Current, and Victoria. Another consistent performer for his teams, in 259 games Tyson had 74 goals and 92 assists. We look forward to having Tyson as a key member of the team for the next 4/5 years.  Tyson is currently enrolled in the Faculty of Native Studies. 

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#1 Ethan Lawczynski

Position: Goalie (6-4, 185)
2023/24 Team: Castlegar Rebels
Hometown: Castlegar, BC

Stan Marple: Ethan will be one of our three goaltenders this season and will be pushing Tyler Palmer and Ethan Kruger for an opportunity to play. He will get that opportunity in pre-season and we look forward to watching him develop compete for ice time between the pipes. Ethan played junior exclusively in his hometown of Castlegar B.C. Ethan is a big guy who works very hard in practice and has a ton of potential. Ethan had a .910 Save % over 24 games with Castlegar in the KIJHL last season. Ethan is an excellent student as well as goaltender and he is currently enrolled in the Faculty of Engineering at the UofA. 

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#37 Chase Leslie

Position: Defence (6-0, 192)
2023/24 Team: Augustana Vikings
Hometown: Camrose, AB

Stan Marple: Chase is our second player to join us from Camrose, where he played his minor hockey with Sam Popowich. Chase is a 6-1 D-man who played three years in the WHL with the Red Deer Rebels. Chase is a strong skater and moves the puck well. This allowed him to play for IFK Arboga in the second division in Swedden as a 19-year-old in 2022/23. Last year after coming back from an injury, Chase played eight games for the Augustana Vikings of the ACAC. Chase is currently enrolled in the Faculty of Arts with a major in Psychology. 

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#13 Ty Nash

Position: Forward (5-11, 180)
2023/24 Team: Edmonton Oil Kings
Hometown: Scottsdale, Arizona

Stan Marple: A dual-citizen, Ty is both Canadian and American and was born in Scottsdale and resides in Arizona in the off-season. Another five-year graduate of the WHL, Ty played last season with the Edmonton Oil Kings, where he was an alternate captain. Coming off two 20-plus goal seasons with the Winnipeg Ice and the Oil Kings, Ty does a good job of going to the net and finishing. Ty has been a very consistent performer on his teams. In five seasons Ty played in 257 WHL games, scoring 68 goals had 98 helpers. We look forward to him bringing that same consistency to the Golden Bears. Ty is enrolled in the faculty of Arts at the UofA.

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#31 Tyler Palmer

Position: Goalie (6-0, 191)
2023/24 Team: Everett Silvertips
Hometown: Fernie, BC

Stan Marple: Tyler is coming off a great 20-year-old season with the Everett Silvertips of the WHL. Tyler is not only a very good goaltender but also a very good person, as he was recognised by the WHL U.S. Division last year as Humanitarian of the Year. Tyler also took care of business between the pipes last year for the Silvertips, finishing with 30 wins. In 46 games last year Tyler had a 2.57 GAA and a .907 Save %. In three seasons in the WHL with Victoria and Everett Tyler played 140 Games stopping over 90% of the shots he faced, adding five shutouts. We look forward to having Tyler with the Golden bears for 4/5 years as he pursues a degree in Kinesiology.

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#26 Sam Popowich

Position: Forward (5-9, 185)
2023/24 Team: Seattle Thunderbirds
Hometown: Camrose, AB

Stan Marple: Sam spent his entire WHL career with the Seattle Thunderbirds where he played on a very strong team that was in the 2021/22 WHL Final, and represented the WHL in the Memorial Cup in 2022/23.  Sam is a great two-way player who will make a significant impact with his exceptional skill set and leadership on the ice. Known for his dynamic playmaking abilities and solid defensive presence, Sam has been a cornerstone of the Thunderbirds team over the past four years, earning accolades and recognition for his contributions in the faceoff circle and penalty killing. Sam played 219 games for the Thunderbirds scoring 33 goals adding 52 assists. Sam will be working towards his BA at the University of Alberta.  

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#16 Sean Tschigerl

Position: Forward (6-0, 196)
2023/24 Team: Lethbridge Hurricanes
Hometown: Edmonton, AB

Stan Marple: Sean is a 6-0 forward who is very skilled, and was a 5th round NHL draft pick of the Anaheim Ducks in 2021. Sean hails from Whitecourt Alberta and played his Bantam and Midget hockey for OHA Academy herein Edmonton. A natural leader, Sean was an alternate captain of the Calgary Hitmen, before being traded his last year of junior to Lethbridge. In 273 WHL games Sean found the back of the net 95 times and added 117 assists. We look forward to adding Sean's natural talent and leadership to the Golden Bears this season. Sean currently enrolled in the Faculty of Arts with a focus on Psychology.