VANCOUVER – The only Canada West team, and one of just three across the country, to earn a berth at the University Cup tournament in each of the past two seasons, the UBC Thunderbirds are adding some serious talent at every position ahead of the 2022-23 hockey season, one which the blue and gold intend to make a monumental one.

As is the case each September, the T-Birds will look quite different when they take to the ice at the Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre, having lost some key pieces to graduation and the professional ranks. Former captain Tyler Sandhu and 2021-22 U SPORTS Goaltender of the Year, Rylan Toth, are two of the more prominent Thunderbirds who have aged out of the program. While their departures leave some significant holes, there's plenty of new talent fully intent on helping power UBC back to the national stage.

"I'd say this summer has been the most interesting in recruiting for me since I've been here," said UBC Head Coach, Sven Butenschon who enters his seventh season as T-Birds bench boss. "By losing Rylan Toth, Shaun Dosanjh, Tyler Sandhu, Matt Revel, and Austin Glover, those guys were my first recruits and they've elevated the program in the five years they were here with two trips to nationals and Tother as the top goalie in Canada. Real character guys on the ice and in the dressing room.

They're all gone so you bring in a whole fresh crop of character guys who can hopefully replicate what those guys did and I guess the big caveat with all that is just how quickly they can adjust to the pace of play in our league."
 

That fresh crop consists of forwards Sam Huo, Sasha Mutala, Jordan Sandhu, Ethan McIndoe, Logan Doust and James Form, along with defenceman Jonny Lambos and goaltender Cole Schwebius.

"With our overall culture, I think it just happens organically over time, and we've put ourselves in a great position thanks to those older guys," added Butenschon who expects his new crop of recruits to fit right in and only add to the solid team culture that's been developed the last few seasons. "Once everyone gets to know the young guys I think they're going to be really impressed with the character, the grit, the work ethic and obviously talent in there too."

The hardest thing to do in hockey is score, but Sam Huo doesn't seem to have much trouble accomplishing that feat, leading the Tri-City Americans in both goals (30) and points (58) last season. Finishing his final WHL campaign just shy of a point-per-game pace, the Richmond, B.C. product adds both plenty of size and skill to the T-Birds.

"As a bigger guy, I use my size and skill to create offence, I'm able to finish plays around the net while also creating opportunities off the rush," said the 6-foot-4, 192 pound centre. "I hope to contribute offensively for the T-Birds while also being reliable in all three zones to help the team win in any way I can."
 

Set to study Arts at UBC, Huo had a myriad of options to pursue his university career, but his hometown school was a no-brainer for him.

"Being able to continue my education at one of the best universities in the country was very appealing, but also hearing from current students how much they enjoy going to school at UBC also influenced my decision. The recent success of the hockey program is impressive and is something I want to be a part of. The opportunity to live and play close to my family and friends was something I hadn't had the chance to do over the last few years."

The T-Birds actually have landed two of the Americans' top offensive producers as Huo's teammate, Sasha Mutala, is also joining the blue and gold.

A fifth round draft pick of the Colorado Avalanche in 2019, the 6-foot, 200 pound winger put up 196 points in 266 career WHL regular season games and also brings professional experience to the T-Birds' dressing room with stints in both the AHL and ECHL during the 2020-2021 season.

"I play a hardworking and skilled game. I try to make my teammates better each and every shift and create offensive chances and momentum in the offensive zone," said the Vancouver native. "I'm excited to bring my experience of high level hockey to UBC. My five years in the WHL have taught me a lot, combined with my time in pro. I think I have learned how to play through adversity and how to be a mentally stronger person and player."
 

The most experienced addition for the T-Birds for this coming season comes courtesy of NCAA transfer forward Jordan Sandhu.

The younger brother of former UBC captain Tyler Sandhu, Jordan spent the past four seasons with the Arizona State Sun Devils where he put up a total of 44 points in 123 games. Prior to beginning his college career, the younger Sandhu was a standout with the BCHL's Alberni Valley Bulldogs before closing out his junior career with the Vernon Vipers in 2017-18.

"I wanted the opportunity to play at home, along with the chance to be a Thunderbird," said the 5-foot-7, 154 pound centre from Richmond who's excited to wear the same jersey his brother did for the last five years. "Although it would have been awesome to play together, it's still pretty cool to be able to follow in his footsteps and play in front of family and friends. I'm looking forward to seeing what we can do as a group. I feel like we have a strong team up and down the lineup and the goal is to do something special this year."

Ethan McIndoe is another forward transfer to UBC this fall having spent the last two seasons with the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology. Prior to his stint at NAIT the 6-foot-1, 176 pound forward played a total of 321 games in the WHL over five seasons, the first four with the Spokane Chiefs before concluding his junior career with the Edmonton Oil Kings.
 

With a total of 78 goals and 83 assists for 161 points in the WHL, McIndoe, who hails from Camrose, Alberta, brings a flair for offence to the T-Birds.

"I play a simple game as a two-way power forward with skill and I like to think I will bring some leadership as a bit of an older guy on the team," said the 23-year old. "I think the WHL helped prepare me for having an intense and demanding schedule and I think my transition to playing and attending school at UBC should be an easy adjustment for me. I've never attended a full semester of post secondary in person over the past two years to I'm looking forward to going to class as well."

Logan Doust heads to Point Grey following a five-year WHL career that saw him play 168 games in Saskatoon, Victoria, and Moose Jaw. Serving as an alternate captain with the Warriors the last two seasons, the 6-foot 172 pound centre from North Vancouver will bring a strong two-way gritty game to the T-Birds.
 

"UBC is the best of both worlds. The hockey team is one of the best in the country over the last few years and the school is also one of the best in Canada which made it a no-brainer for me," said Doust who will study in the faculty of Arts. "I think the most exciting thing for me is starting something new. I've been away playing junior for the last five years of my life and the idea of something completely new and fresh is really exciting. I'm also excited to be finally playing close to home and have my family and friends come watch me play."

It's been a while since the T-Birds have had an active brother duo play at the same time, but James Form's arrival has him joining older sibling, Noah.

A Saskatoon native, James Form split his final junior season between the WHL and the Humboldt Broncos of the SJHL. A 6-foot-2, 185 pound centre, Form played a total of 91 regular season WHL games starting with the then-Kootenay Ice in the 2018-19 season. Traded to the Spokane Chiefs last year where he closed out his junior career, Form heads to UBC with plenty of excitement.
 

"My brother had nothing but very positive things to say about the education, resources, and relationships he's experienced there," said the younger Form. "I also believe it will present a great opportunity to become closer with my brother while living and playing alongside him for the upcoming few years. U SPORTS hockey is a man's game and is played hard and direct and I can fit into that puzzle. I want what's best for the team I play on and my competitiveness is something that drives me to improve and be at my best day in and day out."

Jonny Lambos makes the jump to U SPORTS hockey after a lengthy WHL career split between the Brandon Wheat Kings and Everett Silvertips. A 5-foot-10, 185 pound defenceman, Lambos is a hardnosed blue liner but with a strong ability to chip in on offence, putting up 19 points in 60 regular season games last year.

"I felt UBC offered the best complete student-athlete experience for myself," said Lambos as he explained his reason for choosing to join the T-Birds. "Through talking with Sven, I knew the hockey program would provide a great opportunity to grow and develop as a player on a very competitive team. Knowing that I wanted to study sciences, it was a no-brainer to pick UBC. The highly regarded program is something I'm super excited to be a part of come the fall. Plus, getting the opportunity to go to university while playing hockey in the city of Vancouver was something I couldn't pass up."
 

With the loss of Rylan Toth who played the Lion's share of games in net for the 'Birds the past few seasons, there was a big need to shore up UBC's goaltending group. Enter Cole Schwebius who spent four seasons in the WHL before finishing his junior days with the BCHL's Victoria Grizzlies.

Starting his WHL career with the Seattle Thunderbirds, the Kelowna native was traded to his hometown Rockets before his sophomore junior season where he spent the next two years. Last season with the Grizzlies, Schwebius notched a 3.32 goals against average and a .903 save percentage with an 11-11 record.

"I'm conservative in my pushes and saves but I have the ability to make the big save if needed," Schwebius described his style. "I will give the team a chance to win every time I'm in net and I hope to bring a competitive and positive attitude into the dressing room as well. Not only is UBC a great school, but the hockey program is second to none. I get to study close to home while still being able to go to an amazing university and play a very competitive level of hockey."
 

With training camp officially getting underway Monday, the 2022-23 season is fast approaching with the T-Birds' first preseason game set for Friday, September 2 when they battle the Windsor University Lancers at the Poirier Sports and Leisure Centre in Coquitlam.

"The months you spend, all your summer, trying to lock down these recruits – and it started at the end of the winter and it's just a constant work in progress," said Butenschon who can't wait to get started on the new campaign. "Monday morning when we step on the ice it'll be kind of a nice feeling seeing it all come together and then start working towards the first game Friday night."

The 'Birds then host the Lancers on Saturday at 3:00 p.m. PT for their first true home exhibition contest.

UBC opens up the 2022-23 Canada West regular season on Friday, September 30 at home against the Calgary Dinos.