It's been a wait of nearly seven long months, but the UBC Thunderbirds are set to open up the 2025-26 Canada West season against the same team they last played a meaningful game against on home, hosting the MacEwan Griffins Friday and Saturday, October 3 and 4 at the Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre.
A rematch of last season's quarter-final playoff series which saw the Griffins force the then-defending conference champions to a third and deciding game, it's an appropriate way to kickoff the new campaign which the T-Birds, to a man, feel is a massive opportunity given the depth and experience in the dressing room.
"You've got a core group that's been through so much here," said UBC head coach,
Sven Butenschon, now into his tenth year leading the blue and gold. "It started during COVID lockdowns and the first initial conversations during that strange time, unable to actually meet players or watch them play, so they've been through a lot. They've moved the program miles and have made my job a pleasure and an honour to coach these guys."
Captain
Chris Douglas, fellow forwards
Scott Atkinson,
Liam Kindree,
Cyle McNabb and defenceman
Matthew Smith – all key pieces of the most successful tenure in program history – are all beginning their fifth and final year of eligibility. It's a group that won the team's first Canada West championship in 53 years back in 2023, and been to two national championship tournaments. Add in standout defenceman
Jake Lee, forwards
Sasha Mutala and
Josh Williams as well as goaltender
Cole Schwebius – all now into their fourth year with the program – and the feeling is there's never been a better moment for the Thunderbirds to take a run at that elusive national championship.
"It's nearing the end of the core guys' collegiate careers, so you can sense it," said Butenschon. "I just hope the guys don't put too much pressure on themselves because you still got to play free and confident. But in saying that, it's given us a real good sense of urgency during practice, during training camp. Every rep you can tell there's a little bit of that mindset."
But the playoffs are a long ways off with Friday night against the Griffins the first real test for this veteran T-Birds squad.
MacEwan will no doubt head to Vancouver with some confidence as a program knowing they pushed UBC to that third and deciding quarter-final game. The Griffins have steadily improved since first entering the Canada West four years ago and have always been a tough out with their physical, hard-nosed brand of hockey.
"It'll be a tough matchup, they've always played us tough and hard. They're tight-checking, defensive, they have great goaltending and a great D corps. Since they've joined this league they've always seemed to put together a really good group of defencemen. It'll be a real test for us to be patient and not get off the game plan or cheat on offence. We just got to play our game, trust the process. Similar to playoffs last year, it's not going to be easy, but you got to find a way and persevere."
The T-Birds had a solid 2024-25 campaign going 18-8-2, good for second place in the West Division. But it was the start and the finish to the season which mostly sticks in long-term memory. 0-3-1 out of the gate, the team spent a lot of energy battling back into the divisional race before eventually falling to the Saskatchewan Huskies in game three of the conference final series, failing to get back to a second straight University Cup.
Beginning the new season in their own barn where the 'Birds lost just twice in regulation last year, there's a real chance to start this year of opportunity on the right foot.
"They love playing on that surface and in that rink. I think we're going to get a big crowd on Friday which is great and try to get some home cooking."
Puck drop for the 2025-26 Canada West season opener is 7:00 p.m. Friday, October 3 at the Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre.
Tickets are available online and the game will also be streamed live on
Canada West TV.
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