VANCOUVER – The UBC Thunderbirds men's hockey program is coming off their most successful regular season in team history. Securing 20 wins in 2022-23, the squad came just one win away from a third consecutive Canada West Final appearance, despite significant roster turnover.

A year later and with all but two pieces from last year's team returning (forwards Jordan Sandhu and Ethan McIndoe), the 'Birds are that much more experienced and ready to take the next step.

Helping them get there are a pair of freshmen forwards in Jake Wright and Ben Kotylak who are suiting up for the blue and gold this fall to begin their U SPORTS careers.

"We're a little more conscious of who we're bringing in," said UBC head coach, Sven Butenschon who enters his eighth season at the helm. "Thinking about how we're going to beat the Calgarys and the Albertas. We felt Jacob Wright and Ben Kotylak are two guys who play a certain style that can be effective against those kind of teams."



A native of Langley, B.C., Wright returns closer to home after completing his WHL career with the Calgary Hitmen. Serving as an alternate captain in his final season in 2022-23, the 5-foot-10, 175 pound forward earned 30 points in 42 games.

His first three major junior seasons were spent with the Everett Silvertips with his most productive campaign in 2021-22 where he scored 22 goals with 25 assists for 47 points in 68 regular season games. He added another eight points in six playoff games that year.

"He has a high hockey IQ, he plays a complete game," Butenschon described Wright. "He's a real student of the game and loves the little details. He's great on the penalty kill and plays with bite, kind of a coaches' dream. Very much like Tian Rask and Chris Douglas in that regard."



Studying in the faculty of Arts, Wright, like many other recruits before him, chose UBC because of the unique combination of a world-class education and elite hockey program.

"I really like the direction the program is headed," Wright said. "With a bit of a younger team this past year they were able to put up an impressive season which was really appealing. I'm extremely excited to join such a strong program and hopefully I can add to the team's future success. UBC also has some familiarity as there are past teammates of mine and lots of guys I've played against which makes the transition a bit easier."

Describing himself as a two-way, 200-foot player, Wright likes to model his game after the likes of Brendan Gallagher and Nazem Kadri, two NHLers well known for their bite and offensive abilities alike.

"It's definitely also a nice change of pace being able to play at home for the first time in five years. Hopefully some more family will be able to make it out to some games and it'll definitely make things a lot easier on my parents."



Kotylak is also returning home for the first time since 2019. The North Vancouver product spent his last three seasons in Junior 'A', splitting time between the AJHL's Calgary Canucks, the BCHL's Nanaimo Clippers and the SJHL's Humboldt Broncos where he completed his junior career last season.

"I like to get around the net and score those greasy goals," said the 5-foot-10, 161 pound Kotylak. "I keep it simple. I use my speed and game sense and try to impact both ends of the ice. I'm good on the penalty kill, bring energy and am a guy that competes every day."

Kotylak's best junior season came last year with Humboldt where he scored 23 goals and added 17 assists in 54 games.

"He's played great in training camp and he's looked good in exhibition," said Butenschon of Kotylak's first impressions at UBC. "He plays with a lot of speed, he plays in a straight line, he's a pest out there. That's kind of what we were looking for in that role. I didn't want to go grab another half-wall power play guy or a guy that's just going to think offence. He's a guy that's going to add another dimension."



Like Wright, Kotylak decided to continue his hockey career at UBC so he could continue to compete at a high level while also earning a valuable degree from one of the top universities in Canada.

"I didn't want to sacrifice schooling for hockey and this is a spot where I can get both; the school is terrific and the hockey program is also second to none. I came out here a couple summers ago and it built from there. Not being a WHL guy I never really thought it was possible. But now that I'm here and with a couple other junior 'A' guys like Tian (Rask), they've helped me get adjusted. I'm definitely proud to be here, I'm excited."

The T-Birds open up the 2023-24 Canada West season at home to the Alberta Golden Bears on Friday, September 29 for a rematch of last year's conference final series. Tickets are available now!