2024-25 Manitoba Bisons/USports

[Hollywood2]

April 26, 2024

U-SPORTS/CIS BOOKMARKS

League Sites:
USports Mens Hockey Site
... sub-links : Standings : Schedule/Results : U-Cup
Canada West Mens Hockey Site
... sub-links : Schedule/Results/Links : Hockey Tech Schedule & Stats
... sub-links : Archives and Records : Media Access : LeagueStat Daily
OUA Mens Hockey Site
... sub-links: Schedule/Results/Links : LeagueStat Daily
AUS Mens Hockey Site
... sub-links : Schedule/Results - menu leads to all stats and standings
ACAC Mens Hockey Site
... sub-links : Schedule/Results : CCAA History
BCIHL Site
... sub-links : Schedule/Results
RSEQ - Hockey - Google Translate
... sub-links : Link Page : Schedule : Standings

Canada West Team Sites:
Alberta Golden Bears
Calgary Dinos
MacEwan Griffins
Manitoba Bisons
Mount Royal Cougars
Regina Cougars
Saskatchewan Huskies
Trinity Western Spartans
UBC Thunderbirds

AUS Team Sites:
Acadia Axemen
Dalhousie Tigers
Moncton Aigles Bleus - Google Translate
New Brunswick Reds
UPEI Panthers
St. Francis Xavier X-men
Saint Marys Huskies

 

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OUA-West Team Sites:
Brock Badgers
Guelph Gryphons
Lakehead Thunderwolves
Laurier Golden Hawks
Nipissing Lakers
Toronto Metropolitan Bold
Toronto Varsity Blues
Waterloo Warriors
Western Ontario Mustangs
Windsor Lancers

OUA-East Team Sites:
Carleton Ravens
Ontario Tech Ridgebacks
Ottawa Geegees
Queens Golden Gaels
RMC Palladins - Former Team Site
York Lions

RSEQ (OUA-East) Team Sites:
Concordia Stingers
McGill Redbirds
UQTR Patriotes - Google Translate

RSEQ (Division 2) Team Sites:
CMRSJ Remparts
Concordia Stingers Division 2 (Elite Prospects)
ETS Piranhas - Google Translate
UQAC Inuk - Google Translate

ACAC Team Sites:
Augustana Vikings
Briercrest Clippers
Concordia-Edmonton Thunder
NAIT Ooks
Portage Voyageurs
Red Deer Kings
SAIT Trojans

BCIHL Team Sites:
Logan Lake Miners
Okanagan Lakers
Simon Fraser Red Leafs
Vancouver Island Mariners
Victoria Vikings

 

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Page 3


Online video/audio:
CanadaWest.tv - YareTV link
OUA YareTV link
AUS YareTV link
UMFM.com - some Bison home games
USports Nationals - with archive

Stats:
Elite Prospects - USports Page - individual player stats on everybody
Internet Hockey Data Base (IHDB) : CWUAA Page - like Elite Prospects
USports/CIS Stats - 2009-10 to present
USports/CIS Schedule/Results - 2009-10 to present (no archive menu, must alter URL)
USports/CIS Standings - 2010 to present
USports/CIS Playoff Schedule/Results - 2013 to present (no archive menu, must alter URL)
AUS Archive (from 1986-87)
OUA LeagueStat (from 2007-08)
CW LeagueStat (from 2008-09)
Bob Adams Archives - CIS hockey from 1995-96 to 2008-09
Wikia/Fandom - U Sports
... sub-links : University Cup
Wikia/Fandom - CWUAA
... sub-links : GPAC : WIAA : WCIAU
Wikia/Fandom - OUA/OUAA
... sub-links : QUAA : OSLC : OIAA : QOAA : CIAU Central
Wikia/Fandom - AUS/AUAA/AIAA/MIAA
Wikia/Fandom - ACAC
Wikia/Fandom - BCIHL
Wikia/Fandom - North American Championship
Wikia/Fandom - Universiade
Atlantic Canadian Hockey History

Media Sites/Blogs:
TSN USports Page
SportsNet USports Page
ChrisD.ca
CISblog.ca
Independent Sports News
Hockey Scene - AUS
Ryerson Rams Hockey Alumni
AcadiaAxemenHockey.com
RedmenHockey.com (McGill)
Hockey Blog in Canada (includes Manitoba)
The Manitoban (student paper)
The Varsity (Toronto student paper)
Game On Magazine
Stadium Journey
Livesport
Flashscore
Huskie Fan (Saskatchewan fan site)
49 Sport

Recruiting/Transactions:
Elite Prospects - USports Transactions
USports Letters of Intent Page
USports LOI Registry
49 Sport - 2023 Men‛s Hockey Recruits

 

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April 26, 2024: Three WHL Recruits

Thus far there are no official announcement at GoBisons.ca. However, Elite Prospects lists three new Bisons, all with WHL experience. There are not many other recruits in the CW. In fact, there are more announcements of players departing for pro careers thus far. Here we go!


DEXTER WHITTLE - D - Everett (WHL)

Whittle is just 5' 9" and is one of two Virden boys recruited to the roster. As a bonus, he shoots right. He is unfortunately known for being on the receiving end of a vicious hit-from-behind which cost him most of last season. He played just two games after a lengthy hospital stay. His assailant received a 25-game suspension. There are several linked stories and videos of the incident.

Links:
➤ Elite Prospects: Dexter Whittle Career Stats
➤ CHL.ca: 2023-24 Player Profile
➤ Brandon Sun: WHL NOTEBOOK: Dexter Whittle makes his way back
➤ BVM Sports: 2023-24 Player Profile
➤ Hockey Unplugged: Player suspended 25 games after putting opponent in hospital for 3 days with dirty hit
➤ Hockey Feed: WHL forward suspended 25 games for hit that sends opponent to hospital
➤ Victoria News: Victoria Royals forward suspended 25 games for hockey hit from behind
➤ Empire Advance: Whittle has gone from Wheat Kings fan to foe
➤ YouTube: Edwards hit on Whittle - Tough Call Breakdown
➤ YouTube: Alex Edwards drives Dexter Whittle into the glass


GRADY LANE - F - Victoria (WHL)/Virden (MJHL)

Lane played three seasons for the Spokane Chiefs in the WHL, and wore an “A” in his final season there. He then split his overage season between the Victoria Royals in the Dub, and his hometown Virden Oil Capitals in the MJHL. He is a 6' 2", 192 lbs winger, shoots left, and apparently likes to scrap. The offensive numbers in the WHL aren’t much (137 GP, 8-15-23, 250 PIMS), but his junior denouement in the MJHL was better (41 GP, 14-16-30, 155 PIMS). The Bison shopping list has two big items up front: scoring and grit. Lane appears to cover the latter fairly well.

Links:
➤ Elite Prospects: Grady Lane Career Stats
➤ Empire Advance: Lane excited to play for WHL’s Royals
➤ Empire Advance: Lane helps hometown team in many ways
➤ CHL.ca: Player Profile
➤ RoyalsFan.ca: Grady Lane, Hockey’s Swiss Army Knife
➤ YouTube Fights: March 19, 2023 :
➤ Facebook Video: [url=https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=886397443056279] rady Lane (03) puts home the nice feed from Braeden Lewis (03)
➤ BVM Sports: Royals Acquire Grady Lane in exchange for an 8th Round Pick


CADE ZAPLITNY - F - Everett (WHL)

Zaplitny is a Winnipeg boy, coming home from the west coast. He is 6' 1" and 190 lbs and shoots left. After splitting 2021-22 between the Winnipeg Blues and Everett Silvertips, he then played two full seasons in Everett with decent enough numbers (101 GP, 23-22-45, 92 PIMS). So a bit of scoring and a bit of grit.

Links:
➤ Elite Prospects: Cade Zaplitny Career Stats
➤ CHL.ca: 2023-24 Player Profile: Cade Zaplitny
➤ Winnipeg Blues: CADEN ZAPLITNY STAYING WITH SILVERTIPS IN WHL
➤ Our Sports Central: 2023-24 Player Profile: Cade Zaplitny

 

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May 4, 2024: One More WHL Recruit

I checked the LOI Registry and found that Bison Hockey has four names, the three from the prior post and one more. Here's the details.

SKYLER BRUCE - RW - Vancouver/Edmonton (WHL)

Bruce is 5' 10" and 168 lbs with a track record of goal-scoring prowess. I thought I remembered the name from Team Manitoba at the NAHC (the National Aboriginal Hockey Championship), but the tournament was cancelled in 2020 and 2021 when he would have been eligible. (Bruce is generally a Metis surname in Manitoba.) So this is not the player I was thinking of.

After partial seasons split between AAA and the Kootenay/Winnipeg Ice, he played a full season for the Winnipeg Ice in 2021-22 (68 GP, 16-21-37). He then split 2022-23 between the Ice and Vancouver Giants (63 GP, 15-31-46) and 2023-24 between the Giants and Edmonton Oil Kings (43GP, 15-24-39). His AAA stats were always better than a point per game, even better than two points per game on occasion. Another goal-scorer or three and the Bisons could be on their way in 2024-25!

This signing is not confirmed at Elite Prospects. No recruiting announcements have been released by the Bisons at GoBisons.ca.

Links:
➤ Elite Prospects: Skyler Bruce Career Stats
➤ USports: Letter of Intent
➤ CHL.ca: Oil Kings acquire forward Skyler Bruce from Vancouver
➤ CHL.ca: Skyler Bruce Player Profile
➤ BVM Sports: Oil Kings acquire forward Skyler Bruce from Vancouver
➤ Winnipeg Free Press: Ice forward has the magic touch - Skyler Bruce is on the small side, but he posts big numbers
➤ YouTube: WHL Hat-Tricks – Skyler Bruce

 

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May 9, 2024: Teams Are Posting Stories

Although some teams have posted recruitment announcements (linked below) Elite Prospects has the most consistent early news across websites. Here are the links for all teams (some have yet to add a link for 2024-25.).

Links:
➤ Elite Prospects: USports Transfers
➤ Elite Prospects: Manitoba Bisons (4)
➤ Elite Prospects: Alberta Golden Bears (2)
➤ Elite Prospects: Calgary Dinosaurs (0)
➤ Elite Prospects: MacEwan Griffins (4)
➤ Elite Prospects: Mount Royal Cougars (0)
➤ Elite Prospects: Regina Cougars (4)
➤ Elite Prospects: Saskatchewan Huskies (1)
➤ Elite Prospects: Trinity Western Spartans (3)
➤ Elite Prospects: U.B.C. Thunderbirds (0)

The Bisons have started updating their website with recruiting announcements. So far, nothing anywhere about schedules. The two stories cover the four players previously announced in this thread.

Links:
➤ GoBisons.ca: Men's hockey announce commitment of local standouts Cade Zaplitny, Grady Lane and Dexter Whittle
➤ GoBisons.ca: Local standout Skyler Bruce announced as newest men's hockey commit

The Family Guys lead the league in posted stories, with four. All about their recruits, with a heavy local Junior A flavour.

Links:
➤ MacEwan: AJHL scoring champion, Lloydminster Bobcats captain Cabana joining Griffins in 2024-25
➤ MacEwan: AJHL all-star defenceman, Canmore Eagles captain Tallman joining Griffins in 2024-25
➤ MacEwan: Veteran goaltender Epp returns home to join Griffins for final season of eligibility
➤ MacEwan: Eastman returns home to join Griffins after capping junior career with prolific scoring season in P.E.I.

The Banjo-Cats have just one story, but have four recruits.

Links:
➤ Regina: Men's hockey signs defenceman Chase Friedt-Mohr

Holy Trinity has one recruiting announcement and a fund-raising announcement.

Links:
➤ TWU: Complete Champion Challenge Set for May 25th
➤ TWU: Men’s Hockey New Recruit - Sammy May

The Banjo-Mutts have no recruiting announcements, but they do have a unique ticket program. In addition to the usual types of perks, they also offer discounts on CFL tickets to watch the Saskatchewan Roughriders.

Links:
➤ Saskatchewan: Ticketing Details 2024-25

 

[Hollywood2]

May 15, 2024: Another Pair of WHL Recruits

One more name is on the LOI Registry and at Elite Prospects, while one more is LOI only for now. Neither has a story at GoBisons.ca right now.

DAWSON PASTERNAK - F - Victoria (WHL)

Here we have another small forward at 5'9" and 152 lbs. But he can really score, doing better than a PPG in Victoria in the WHL. He started his junior career in the USHL before moving west with Portland then Brandon in the WHL. There are linked stories about each phase. He had an injury a couple years back which hampered his numbers. Reliable goal scoring was IMO the #1 recruiting goal this year, and he certainly could address that.

Links:
➤ Elite Prospects: Dawson Pasternak Career Stats
➤ USports: Letter of Intent
➤The Hockey News: Victoria Royals Dawson Pasternak Thriving In Final WHL Season (with video featuring a Tiger Williams celly)
➤ Winnipeg Free Press: Pasternak a steal of a deal
➤ CHL.ca: Dawson Pasternak Leaves USHL, To Play For Portland In 2021-22
➤ CHL.ca: Brandon Sun: Pasternak Finally Returns to Manitoba
➤ CHL.ca: Royals Acquire Dawson Pasternak From Wheat Kings
➤ Victoria Times Colonist: Dawson Pasternak leads Victoria Royals past Rockets

BRADEN HOLT - G - Victoria (WHL)

This signing is on the LOI but not yet at Elite Prospects. I am not sure which goaltenders are returning this year. However, last year’s goaltending was roughly league average. (The only part of the roster to do so.) Holt is from Bozeman, Montana and entered the WHL with Everett before a trade to Victoria. His cumulative stats were 3.39 GAA, .893 S%, and a 72-51-12 record. The linked stories (and others) have praised his efforts. So I’m guessing that the Bisons will have solid goaltending.

Links:
➤ Elite Prospects: Braden Holt Career Stats
➤ USports: Letter of Intent
➤ The Hockey Writers: Braden Holt – 2022 NHL Draft Prospect Profile
➤ NHL.com: Braden Holt G
➤ CHL.ca: Royals Roundup – Episode #11 ft. Braden Holt & Nate Misskey
➤ YouTube: NHL Draft Highlight Reel: Braden Holt
➤ YouTube: 2023-24 Season Preview Interview - Braden Holt
➤ CHL.ca: Royals goaltender Braden Holt named WHL Goaltender of the Week
➤ TSN.ca: WHL roundup: Holt holds off Blazers as Royals post win
➤ Victoria Times Colonist: Royals' new crease acquisition Braden Holt records shutout in win over Giants

 

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May 20, 2024: Updating News with a Trickle of Stories

There are not a lot of newer postings around the CW. The Bisons have posted a story about the recruitment of Dawson Pasternak (announced above). Coach Burnett sings his praises and they emphasize th 72 points in 62 WHL games.

Links:
➤ GoBisons.ca: Victoria Royals Team MVP, top scorer Dawson Pasternak commits to Bisons hockey

The T-irds' first story of the season is a recruiting announcement. They have landed Carson Latimer, a 4th round draft pick of the Ottawa Senators from 2021. They tout is 122 points in 178 WHL games.

Links:
➤ UBC: Carson Latimer adds big offensive weapon to Canada West champion T-Birds

More players have been added at the Elite Prospects pages. (Insert usual warning here that EP does not necessarily have all announcements, such as with UBC.)

Links:
➤ Elite Prospects: USports Transfers
➤ Elite Prospects: Manitoba Bisons (6)
➤ Elite Prospects: Alberta Golden Bears (2)
➤ Elite Prospects: Calgary Dinosaurs (0)
➤ Elite Prospects: MacEwan Griffins (5)
➤ Elite Prospects: Mount Royal Cougars (2)
➤ Elite Prospects: Regina Cougars (4)
➤ Elite Prospects: Saskatchewan Huskies (2)
➤ Elite Prospects: Trinity Western Spartans (3)
➤ Elite Prospects: U.B.C. Thunderbirds (0)

We also have to send a nod to the news from the AUS about the departure of former Portage Collegiate, Flin Flon Bombers, and OCN Blizzard coach Gardiner MacDougall from the UNB Red Squirrels to the Moncton Wildcats.

Links:
➤ AUS: MacDougall retires from REDS
➤ UNB: MacDougall Retires From REDS

 

[Hollywood2]

May 28, 2024: More Stories Posted Across the CW

The Bisons have issued their press release on the commitment of goaltender Braden Holt. In the last week I have seen no new announcements at Elite Prospects and the Letter of Intent page has not been updated since May 21, 2024. (Not every recruited player registers a Letter of Intent.) They still have six recruits listed at Elite Prospects. No team has posted a 2024-25 roster page on their website yet.

Links:
➤ Elite Prospects: Manitoba Bisons (6)
➤ GoBisons.ca: Men's hockey announce commitment of veteran WHL goalie Braden Holt

The Family Guys have added a hat-trick of stories. Two of those about new recruits, one about a grad heading to Germany’s 2nd tier of pro hockey. They continue to have five recruits listed at Elite Prospects.

Links:
➤ Elite Prospects: MacEwan Griffins (5)
➤ MacEwan: Dependable defensive defenceman Haynes brings 163 games of WHL experience to the Griffins
➤ MacEwan: Taupert realizes a dream, signing pro contract to play for Lausitzer Füchse in DEL 2
➤ MacEwan: Griffins solidify goaltending position with two-time Centennial Cup champ Barwick

The Evil Monkeys have no stories about recruits yet. The headline on the story is wrong. Hockey player Alex Thacker was voted rookie of the year, not athlete of the year. Still no recruitment stories. However, they still have the two announcements at Elite Prospects: goaltender Tyler Palmer from the Everett Silvertips (WHL) and centre Vincent Lamanna from Fort McMurray (AJHL), where he spent his overage season after also playing for Everett in prior seasons.

Links:
➤ Elite Prospects: Alberta Golden Bears (2)
➤ Alberta: Thacker named UofA Male Athlete of the Year

 

[Hollywood2]

June 1, 2024: News Has Slowed

As we enter a new month, the early off-season activity from May has slowed, albeit to somewhat normal levels for this time of year.

Regarding recruitment, the main sources are Elite Prospects and the USports Letters of Intent page. At Elite Prospects there was a steady stream of additions across USports until May 17th. After that, there have been just seven USports transactions, and four of those were departures. The former link to the USports Letters of Intent page is now a 404. Search engines do not disclose a new link for that page. The last update I saw for it was on May 21st.

The MJHL has a linked recruitment page. A lot of players have gone to the NCAA or various other leagues. I suspect that the Bisons have a lot of yet unannounced recruits from the MJHL and other Junior A leagues. Most students will have by now completed their registrations for the 2024-25 academic year, perhaps subject to a pending fee payment.

Coach Gord Burnett gave a talk at the MJHL’s prospects camp. So I assume that he was talking to players for this year and down the road.

Links:
➤ Elite Prospects: USports Transactions
➤ USports: Former Letter of Intent Page
➤ Instagram: MJHL Hockey IG Post May 31st
➤ MJHL: 2024 Prospects Camp
➤ MJHL: Player Advancements

The Evil Monkeys still have no recruiting announcements on their website. However, they have announced their 2023-24 award winners!

W.D. Smith Trophy (Golden Bears Most Improved Player) - Konrad Belcourt
University of Alberta President's Award (Student-Athlete's career contribution to the team and program as an outstanding athlete, leader and role model) - Matt Berlin
Andy Purcell Hockey Trophy (Golden Bears Most Valuable Player) - Eric Florchuk
Golden Bears Hockey Alumni Three-Star Award (Most Three Star Selections) - Eric Florchuk
The Captain's Trophy (Golden Bears Outstanding Contribution with the Least Recognition) - Adam Hall
Gord Thibodeau Trophy (Awarded to the Golden Bear who best displays perseverance and courage) - Jacob Herauf
Vic Dzurko Memorial Trophy (Golden Bears Outstanding Defensive Player) - Wyatt McLeod
Bill Moores Trophy (Golden Bears Outstanding Freshman) - Alex Thacker
President's Trophy (Bear who best combines sportsmanship, leadership & integrity) - Jakin Smallwood

Links:
➤ Alberta: Bears announce 2023/24 team award winners

The Banjo-Cats have just one previously linked recruitment story. However, they now have five recruits listed at Elite Prospects. All five are defencemen, mostly players with a junior career blended between Junior A and the WHL.

Ashton Fishley split his time between the Portage Terriers and Swan Valley Stampeders of the MJHL. The rest had blended careers.

Aiden Brook played a total of 35 WHL games and 24 MJHL games in 2020-21 and 2021-22. He spent the last two years with the Dauphin Kings and Portage Terriers of the MJHL

Three others were WHL vets who went to Junior A for their overage season.

Chase Friedt-Mohr was mostly in the WHL, dividing time with the Spokane Chiefs, Edmonton Oil Kings, and Tri-City Americans before he spent last year with the Melfort Mustangs of the SJHL.

Blake Heward was with the Edmonton Oil Kings and Calgary Hitmen of the WHL then spent last year with the Estevan Bruins of the SJHL.

Adam McNutt was with the Prince Albert Raiders, Regina Pats, and Swift Current Broncos of the WHL before playing with the Flin Flon Bombers of SJHL last year.

That’s basically a brand new blue-line for the Kittens.

Links:
➤ Elite Prospects: Regina Cougars (5)