THIS WEEK: vs. Alberta Friday, Oct. 15 and Saturday, Oct. 16 at 7:00 p.m.; Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre
VANCOUVER - Sometimes things get worse before they get better. For the UBC Thunderbirds, last season represented a significant low, as the team found themselves absent from the Canada West post-season. For head coach Milan Dragicevic, the disappointment of 2009-10 was a catalyst for change, and now he's ready to ice a T-Birds squad with a chip on its shoulder and a hunger for redemption.
“When you don't make the playoffs for the first time in seven years, changes have to be made,” says Dragicevic. “And we feel that bringing in character players that have experience in winning and leadership was a priority.”
“We needed to improve the character of our hockey team from last year,” he continues. “We feel that with the players we've brought in, we've improved our leadership and character, and we know that's going to translate into our on-ice performance, and hopefully the wins and losses column.”
One of those recruits is defenceman
Nolan Toigo, who joins the Blue and Gold fresh from the Edmonton Oilers' pre-season roster, where he was a late cut. For the previous two seasons, Toigo was a top blueliner and assistant captain with the WHL's Vancouver Giants.
“Toigo is a great late addition to our program,” explains Dragicevic. “He plays the power play and the PK. He had great seasons with the Giants and he's a guy we can rely on. He's a very good student and a local guy.”
Another big acquisition is
Mike McGurk of the OHL's Owen Sound Attack.
“Mike is a solid stay-at-home defenceman,” says Dragicevic. “He doesn't make many mistakes. He's very steady and his responsibility is going to be as a shut-down guy and to kill a lot of penalties.”
Dragicevic speaks highly of another first year player,
Ben Schmidt, who joins the team from the BCHL's Powell River Kings. He played forward during his Junior A career, but is a serviceable defenceman as well. That versatility is a welcome addition to the roster.
“We've been very impressed with
Ben Schmidt,” says Dragicevic. “He's one of the fittest guys in camp. I like the way he battles and competes. He's part of the identity we have, which is to be really tough to play against, and he provides that for us.”
Returning defenceman
Max Gordichuk brings his stalwart play and imposing size to the 'Birds again this year.
Matt Pepe,
Ryan Kakoske, and
Craig Lineker are back on the blueline as well, representing the return of the T-Birds top four from last season.
Up front, the T-Birds will rely on many returning players. In particular, the Thunderbirds will look to the men down the middle to carry the load. First and foremost of those is fifth-year centre and last year's team MVP,
Matthew Schneider. The Thunderbirds' newest captain finished 2009-10 with 18 points in 28 games and will play a key role this year.
The 'Birds are also very confident in centre
Justin McCrae, a Carolina Hurricanes draft pick, who had nine goals in 22 games last year.
Second year forward
Scott Wasden is another solid component of this year's crop of centres, as is
Marc Desloges. Desloges played for UBC from 2006 to 2008 before playing a year of professional hockey in Germany in '08-09, where he racked up 61 points in 53 games with the Passau Black Hawks.
“We're really strong up the middle with Schneider, McCrae, and Wasden- three solid two-way centermen,” says Dragicevic. “Desloges, is one of the fastest players in the league and we expect a lot of offensive production from him. We really want to build through the middle and we can match up with anyone in Canada West with the depth we have in the middle.”
On the wing, the 'Birds hope for another big year from
Tyler Ruel, who led the Blue and Gold with nine goals and 21 points in 26 games last season.
Max Grassi is another key returnee, who looks to build on a strong first year in which he notched 12 points in 19 games.
Newcomer
Mike Liambas is also expected to inject some energy and toughness along the boards and brings his experience of the 2010 Toronto Maple Leafs training camp to the 'Birds.
Also returning at forward are
Brennan Sonne and
Wyatt Hamilton, who have displayed some offensive flare in the preseason. Winger
Dalton Pajak and
Jordan Inglis are other returnees looking to help the Thunderbirds return to the post-season.
In net, the 'Birds were dealt a surprise when would-be starting goaltender Torrie Jung, who had committed to UBC after starting for the WHL's Edmonton Oil Kings for a number of years, decided to go pro just before the pre-season. Despite the loss, Dragicevic and his staff are confident in the goalies they have in place now.
“
Jordan White played very well for us in net last year,” says Dragicevic. “We also picked up
Graeme Gordon, who won the Junior A national championship last year with the Vernon Vipers of the BCHL. We're very solid in net and
Jordan White will be given every opportunity to be the number one guy.”
While improved character is the first thing Dragicevic mentions about the changes to this year's team, he is also optimistic about additional developments.
“We're faster than last year, we're bigger than last year, and we feel that we've improved in all aspects of our game,” explains Dragicevic. “Every skater is going to be given the opportunity to play so we can see where we can put them in different roles to help the hockey team.”
“I really like the make-up of our hockey team,” Dragicevic continues. “The guys came into training camp in very good shape, with very good conditioning. They took their training very seriously in the summer. Right from the beginning we laid out the expectations and the goals that we wanted and part of that was coming to camp in very good shape. That was the first step, and now it's got to lead onto the ice.”
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