Vancouver, BC -
Coming off the best season in the program's history in over 20 years, the UBC Thunderbirds men's hockey team is ready to take the next step; host a playoff game and be a legitimate contender in the Canada West.
"Last year was our best record since 1992, but at the end of the day it still wasn't good enough," said UBC head coach Milan Dragicevic. "We want to be high performing team and with the recruits and depth we have added this year, there is no excuse to not have a home playoff date and finish in the top four in the regular season. We have, in my mind, the right mix of players to win a championship, we just have to prove it."
The key for the Thunderbirds is to avoid a somber second half of the season.
"Playing consistent for 28 games is easier said then done," said Dragicevic now in his 12th year behind the Thunderbirds bench. "Our achilles heel over the last few years has been our struggles in late January and early February, the exact time when we need to be peaking. If we follow the process and play to our strengths and continue to strive for consistency, then we have the potential to make some noise come playoff time."
UBC will have to do it without the majority of their leadership group from last season. Gone due to graduation are captain Justin McCrae and key veterans Scott Wasden, Wyatt Hamilton, Max Grassi, and Mike McGurk, as well as two-time Canada West Second Team All-Star Jordan White in net. However, a new batch of top end recruits have shown they have the ability and skill to take this team to a whole new level.
The focus this off-season was to shore up the centre position and Dragicevic believes he has done it with the addition of Luke Lockhart (Seattle Thunderbirds), Anthony Bardaro (Prince Albert Raiders), Nick Buonassisi (Brandon Wheat Kings), and Greg Fraser (Nanaimo Clippers). They may not be the biggest down the middle, but they certainly are very skilled and have a lot of hockey sense. They will join the likes of last year's Canada West leading goal scorer Cole Wilson (16g, 8a) and second year players Brad Hoban (11g, 13a) and Scott MacDonald (5g, 13a). This year's captain Ben Schmidt will also join the forward group after playing his entire career at UBC on the blue line. According to Dragicevic he exemplifies the team philosophy of a non stop work ethic and being physical on the forecheck.
"We will be very balanced over our four lines with each having a shooter, a skilled guy down the middle, and a crasher," said Dragicevic. "I'm very happy with our first-year players. These guys all had a chance to go pro or play at other schools, but they chose UBC. They are all local guys which is great for them to come home and play in front of their family and friends."
The defence this year will be an imposing group with the addition of former Vancouver Giants captain Wes Vannieuwenhuizen (6'2, 220lbs) and Brandon Underwood (6'3, 230lbs) who played for the Red Deer Rebels last season. They bring grit and toughness to the backend, which according to Dragicevic was in need of improvement. They also will offset the skill of 2012-13 CIS All-Rookie team member Neil Manning (2g, 16a), second-year player Kevin Smith (2g, 7a), and third-year player Jason Yee (1g, 7a). Ilan Cumberbirch (6'2, 230lbs), Linden Saip (6'2, 195lbs), and Brendon Wall (6'1, 187lbs) round out the group and fit into the mould of strong stay at home defencemen who will be tough to play against.
With the departure of Jordan White, the number one job between the pipes will go to Steven Stanford who was 4-7 in 2012-13 with a goals against average of 2.73 and a save percentage of 0.900%.
"Steven has paid his dues and will be given every opportunity to play and lead our team," said Dragicevic. "He single handily won us some games over the last couple of years and our guys are 100% confident in his ability."
Stanford will be backed up by newcomer Matt Hewitt who was a three-year starter for the Regina Pats. The New Westminster, BC native compiled a record of 61-60-14 with a career goals against average of 3.23, a .901 save percentage, and six shutouts during his tenure with the Pats.
Once again the Thunderbirds will be chasing the Alberta Golden Bears who lost just one player off last year's Canada West Championship team and come into the season as the #1 ranked team in the CIS. However, don't expect UBC to be a pushover as they strive towards taking the next step to being a contender in the ultra competitive conference.
"We have developed a culture here that being average is no longer good enough," said Dragicevic. "We want to be a high performance team that can compete every night and can beat any team. We feel if we play our wear will be a tough team to beat and in turn be very successful."
The Thunderbirds open the season in Calgary with a pair of games against the Dinos Friday October 11 at 6:00 pm PST and Saturday October 12 at 5:00 pm PST.
