The UBC Thunderbirds have had a long time to wait for what could be deemed a season of redemption which officially gets underway Friday, October 3 in Edmonton as the blue and gold visit the MacEwan Griffins for their Canada West opener.
Last season's record setting regular campaign was followed by back-to-back disappointments with a loss in the conference final series and then a quarter-final exit at the national championship. But the group has now turned the page and ready to begin the long march toward securing what would be a seventh Canada West title, and then some.
"We're really excited, the group is really driven, we've worked really hard in the offseason and upped the standard," said UBC head coach,
Graham Thomas, entering his 13
th season behind the T-Birds' bench. "We're pushing and challenging everybody and they're all on board. Everyone's holding each other accountable and pushing to the max and continuing to just get prepared."
This year's Thunderbirds squad might be the most veteran laden group the program has ever iced with a total of 12 fifth-year players, including last year's U SPORTS Player of the Year,
Grace Elliott.
Given the talent and experience on the UBC roster, there's a genuine feeling this group can finally get the team over the hump and claim the program's first U SPORTS banner.
"I think back to those stacked team Canada Olympic squads where it was gold medal or nothing," Thomas said of the expectations for his group. "It'll be a big disappointment if we don't win Canada West and win nationals, and that's our expectation. We have to greet the elephant in the room and meet the fears and also have high expectations. We can't be afraid of what's on the line this season, we need to embrace it and work towards it."
Following an undefeated pre-season that included a pair of 1-0 wins over another national contender in the Concordia Stingers, the T-Birds feel they are able to hit the ground running to begin the conference campaign.
UBC has historically owned the matchup against the Griffins having won ten straight over MacEwan including their two meetings last year by a combined 12-3 margin. But knowing it's a long season in a tough conference, the 'Birds aren't taking anything for granted.
Having stayed in the lower mainland for their entire training camp and pre-season, this first road trip of the year can also serve the team well in other ways.
"It's good to get out on the road early especially since we've been here for a month. It's good for bonding, it's great for the team to get on the road, get to know each other a little bit better off the ice. We have a lot of character in the room and it's fun travelling with this group."
Puck drop for Friday's season opener in Edmonton is 6:00 p.m. PT with Saturday's rematch scheduled for 2:00 p.m. Both games will be streamed live on
Canada West TV.
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