VANCOUVER – The UBC Thunderbirds men's hockey program continues to build on an impressive incoming recruit class with the addition of four more WHL veterans, adding offence and versatility up front along with reinforcements in goal.
 
Forwards Scott Atkinson (Edmonton Oil Kings), Chris Douglas (Red Deer Rebels), and Liam Kindree (Lethbridge Hurricanes) are all Point Grey bound this fall, as is goaltender Ethan Anders (Red Deer).
 
"Adding another four high quality WHL players with tons of experience is just massive for the program," said UBC Head Coach Sven Butenschon who's looking to get his program back to the University Cup following 2020's playoff success. "We're starting to put some solid pieces together that will pay off for us for years to come."
 

 
One of several Vancouver natives to join his hometown Canada West team, Scott Atkinson returns home to the west coast having spent four seasons with the Oil Kings, the last two of which he served as captain.
 
In the shortened 2021 season, the 6-foot-1, 191 pound centre put up six goals and three assists in 13 games, finishing his WHL career with 36 goals and 43 assists for 79 points in 188 games, all with Edmonton.
 
"I'm a two-way forward who is responsible defensively but can chip in offensively," said Atkinson who aims to study Kinesiology at UBC. "I chose UBC because it's a top academic school where I can get a great education and set myself up for a career. The hockey team seemed like a great fit talking to Sven and some guys from the team who I've played with before. To get the chance to play for a university team in my hometown is an opportunity I'm really looking forward to."
 

Spins.

Snipes.

The @EdmOilKings are on the Atkinson diet. pic.twitter.com/WpZgsaqC3Q

— The WHL (@TheWHL) May 7, 2021

"We've heard the name Scott Atkinson for two or three years now and we've been following his career," said Butenschon who is thrilled to be landing the left-handed centreman. "He captained the Edmonton Oil Kings the last couple years, arguably one of the best teams in junior, and that speaks to his character. The fact that he's local, he comes in with a fantastic work ethic and reputation, he kind of checks off all the boxes. He's going to be a leader for us for years to come."
 
A product of North Vancouver, Liam Kindree also returns home after a four-plus year WHL career with both the Kelowna Rockets and Lethbridge Hurricanes.
 
Standing 5-foot-10 and 183 pounds, Kindree may be smaller than the average U SPORTS forward, but his speed and skill make him plenty noticeable and effective.
 

"He's got speed down the wing, he's dynamic, he's a highly skilled player," said Butenschon of Kindree who was picked up by Lethbridge just prior to the start of this past season. "The fact the Lethbridge Hurricanes grabbed a 20 year old hours before the roster freeze, that's a pretty cool sign right there. Most teams wanted to see the young guys play, but he's a guy that's great in the dressing room and great on the ice, someone the young kids could learn from and I think that was the intent by Lethbridge bringing Liam in. And man did he flourish, every game he got better."

Kindree had four goals and 17 points in 21 games with Lethbridge in 2021. He finished his WHL career with 27 goals and 68 assists for 95 points in 163 regular season games.
 
"I'm a smaller player but I create space with speed and play with pace," said the winger who's enrolled in Arts. "I like to slow things down to create scoring chances off the rush. I love to shoot the puck when I can. Above all, I'm someone who competes and is proud to be wearing a T-Birds jersey."
 

After five years away from home, Kindree's also excited to be that much closer to family and friends. 
 
"I chose UBC to be able to excel in both academics and hockey while being able to manage a social life and become involved in the community, all while feeling a sense of familiarity. I wanted to go somewhere I felt connected with the coach and when I spoke with Sven on the phone, that's the exact feeling I had."
 
Like Atkinson with the Oil Kings, Chris Douglas spent his entire WHL career with one franchise, in his case, the Red Deer Rebels.
 

 
The Richmond, B.C. native brings a combination of size, offensive ability, and defensive responsibility.
 
"He's an outstanding two-way player, he's probably the biggest forward we're recruiting," said Butenschon of the 6-foot-2, 190 pound forward. "He's a great student, he got into Sauder School of Business as a first-year. He can handle the academic stuff which means he'll get to the rink a little less stressed than some guys where school comes a bit harder. I think UBC is going to be perfect for Chris and I can see him after four or five years with us as one of our best players."
 
Echoing the sentiments of his new teammates, Douglas made UBC his school of choice both for academic excellence and the chance to continue his hockey career at a high level.
 

 
"UBC is one of the best schools in Canada and provides amazing opportunities for my future once school is finished," said Douglas who will be reunited with former Rebels teammate Austin Glover with the T-Birds. "Being from Vancouver and knowing how beautiful UBC's campus is was also a big factor in choosing where I want to spend the next four or five years of my life. I chose UBC's hockey program because of the amazing things players have said about Sven and the coaching staff and the overall atmosphere set by the program."
 
Also joining the T-Birds from Red Deer is Saskatchewan native Ethan Anders.
 
Tending the Rebels' crease over the past four seasons, the 6-foot-1, 185 pound goalie from Regina also likes the unique combination of academic offerings and the strong direction the T-Birds are headed in.
 

"Academically I feel UBC will give me the best opportunity to learn the valuable skills needed to succeed in life after school," said Anders. "Hockey wise I felt the Thunderbirds have one of the best programs in U SPORTS and playing for the team will give me the best opportunity in the pro hockey world after my time at UBC. I'm most looking forward to a new opportunity to go to school in a city I've never been to before and to play high level hockey with a new group of guys."
 
Anders closed out his WHL career with a .898 save percentage and 51 wins. His best season came in 2018-19 where he led Red Deer to the playoffs with a 28-22-5 record and a .907 save percentage.
 

"We've been watching Ethan for a couple years now, just because with Rylan (Toth) and Patty (Dea) both moving on at the same time and that's really not an ideal situation for a team in our league," said Butenschon. "We're bringing in Ethan and we also have Dorrin Luding too, so we're getting strong at every position. We're expecting Ethan to give us really strong competition in net and to be the guy he has been most of his WHL career."
 
Now with six forwards and a goaltender announced for the fall, the Thunderbirds are putting the rest of the Canada West on notice they mean business. Once the 2021-22 season gets underway later this year, UBC has every intention of not only competing for a top spot in the division, but getting back to the University Cup.