VANCOUVER – The defending Canada West Champion UBC Thunderbirds have added a massive piece to aid in their attempt to make another run at a U SPORTS National Championship with the signing of goaltender Brett Mirwald.
Joining the T-Birds following a stellar career with the Vancouver Giants that him earned him the WHL's Goaltender of the Year award in his final season, Mirwald is excited to stay on the west coast – and compete for a couple banners.
"It just felt like the right path and it just felt like a good fit for me as well," said the Saskatoon native. "I came on a tour with Sven and I liked everything I saw, and just the feel I got was awesome. It's nice to stay close to the Giants and I'm still in communication with my goalie coach there. It just adds a second level to have that connection."
Despite a myriad of options to continue his playing career, the 21-year old saw an ideal fit with the Thunderbirds, a situation which checked plenty of boxes.
"After playing with the Giants, it was somewhere close and familiar," Mirwald said. "Obviously it's far from home, but it feels like a second home for me, so that's part of it. It's a very up and coming program just starting to build momentum. Winning Canada West last year was a huge step, so the team's success was a big part of it too."
Having won the conference for the first time in 53 years last season while setting new program records in wins and points, adding the likes of Mirwald makes an already deep team that much more prepared for even more success.
"Our job here is to get better in all positions during the recruiting process and Brett's about as high as they come on the prospect list," said UBC head coach
Sven Butenschon, coming off a second conference Coach of the Year season. "He had an outstanding junior career and had some interest to go pro, but I think where we are with our program it's very appealing now for these outstanding junior hockey players to still play at a high level, still get better and still go on to a pro career after. He understands all that and for his development, he's still looking to get better and take his game to the next level. So, it's another great example of the WHL scholarship program and the CHL working to benefit our league."
Beginning his WHL career with the Moose Jaw Warriors in 2021, Mirwald was traded to Vancouver ahead of the 2022-23 campaign. After a strong first season with the Giants, he put up 29 wins, a 3.10 goals against average and a very impressive .913 save percentage along with a pair of shutouts in 55 regular season games last year. In a tightly fought five game playoff series with Everett, Mirwald took his game to yet another level with a .924 save percentage – all en route to winning the Del Wilson Memorial Trophy, a first for the franchise.
"I think I'm actually pretty unique for a goalie, I don't think there are many easy comparables to someone say in the NHL, but I think I play a pretty calm game," Mirwald said, describing his style of play. "I'm in control and I think my best aspect is my reads, I can read the play and know what I think is going to happen."
The Thunderbirds got some terrific goaltending last season from
Cole Schwebius who led the conference with a 1.90 GAA while earning a 13-0-2 record. As far as Butenschon is concerned, adding Mirwald to the mix doesn't change the team's approach going forward.
"It doesn't change much, just because we play back-to-back games all the time. We plan on going with both the guys and then as the season goes on if somebody is clear cut ahead of the other, we'll think about it at that point. But, I think for now they'll both get games and see what it looks like."
When asked if the addition of Mirwald along with the likes of rookie forward Carson Latimer and defenceman Alex Serraglio is enough to push the 'Birds over the top, Butenschon was quick to point out just how difficult it is to get out of the conference.
"I'd love to say yes, but you look around the league and Calgary looks outstanding, Alberta recruited a bunch of great players, Saskatchewan's there, Mount Royal we know is unbelievable. We have the new divisional play this year so that's going to affect the standings and it's going to be harder this year because in our division you got Mount Royal, Calgary and UBC who were all in the top six across Canada last year. Now you've got a division with three elite teams and only one's coming out."
While the proof, as always, will be in the pudding, there is no question by adding Brett Mirwald to the mix, the Thunderbirds look even more dangerous than ever before.
The 'Birds officially open up the 2024-25 Canada West season next Friday, October 4, at home to the Calgary Dinos in a rematch of last year's conference final.
Tickets for the home opener – and championship banner raising – are on sale now!
