With a 10-man recruiting class headed for the ice this fall, the Cougars Men's Hockey team is looking strong. Despite a heartbreaking quarter-final loss in the 2019-20 season against the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds, the Cougars are ready to redeem and better their results in the 2021-22 season, particularly with their newest recruits.
 
"When I look at our recruiting class, it's a testament to the hard work our entire staff put in again this year," Donald Godreau, Men's Hockey Scouting & Recruiting Coordinator said. "We have found talent in the BCHL, NAHL, ACAC, NCAA, WHL and from the pro ranks as well.
 
"We pride ourselves as a staff for being great talent evaluators and for finding young men who will fit right into our culture, no matter their background. We feel this year's recruits are going to amplify our already outstanding returning group."
 
 
Jared Power
Hometown: Calgary, Alberta   
Position: Forward
Jared Power has taken a few stops along the way to joining the Cougars. Although Power was born in Vancouver, B.C. he calls himself a Calgarian after moving at a young age to Alberta. But other opportunities arose and Power saw himself make the journey to Wilcox, Saskatchewan to play for the Notre Dame Hounds in his teenage years. During his time with the Hounds, he won a provincial championship in 2015-16 earning him looks from Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL) scouts. That experience paid off and Power once again found himself drawn back to Alberta to play for Bonnyville, Olds and Grande Prairie in the AJHL before spending his final year of junior eligibility in the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) with the Coquitlam Express. Power then landed with the Sait Men's Hockey program to complete his business diploma in marketing before transferring to MRU's business program with a minor in sports and recreation last Christmas. While you can expect Power to generate opportunities for the Cougars as a big, fast forward, he is looking to use the university crowd, atmosphere and competition to his advantage for motivation in his game.
 
Ty Kolle
Hometown: Kamloops, British Columbia  
Position: Forward
With his Dad as an influence in his early hockey development, Ty Kolle's love for hockey began at an early age. After his Dad began a spring hockey program in Kamloops, B.C., Kolle continued playing at the highest level possible, working his way through the Canadian Sports School Hockey League's (CSSHL) Okanagan Hockey Academy (OHA) in Penticton to the Prince George AAA Cariboo Cougars and finally onto the Western Hockey League (WHL). Playing in Portland, Lethbridge, Regina and Everett, Kolle found his skills were continuously challenged causing him to level up his abilities in response. When he competes with the Cougars this fall, Kolle's work ethic and drive will shine through both on the ice and in the open studies program at MRU.
 
Riley Sims 
Hometown: St. Albert, Alberta
Position: Goal
Riley Sims, MRU's goaltending recruit, has spent the majority of his junior hockey career in the U.S. After leaving St. Albert at 14-years-old, to play in Tier 1 Elite Hockey League. Sims jumped up and down between U16 and junior hockey before finishing his career in Wisconsin with the Janesville Jets and winning the Midwest Division this past season. Now, Sims is ready to return and play closer to home as he starts the open studies program at MRU this fall while playing for the Cougars. With plans to go into the business program down the road, Sims hopes to continue his goaltending career potentially as an instructor or mentor. Sims believes his calm, steady tendencies combined with his athletic agility allows him to play a simple game and be reliable for his teammates.
 
Kyle Walker
Hometown: Leduc, Alberta
Position: Defence
Described as a shutdown defenceman that takes care of home plate first, Kyle Walker is excited to bring his defensive skills to the Cougars' blueline this year. Walker's real success started in his Midget AAA year where he won a provincial championship with the Leduc Oil Kings and made it to the Telus Cup. From there Walker jumped to the WHL with the Everett Silvertips making it all the way to the WHL Championship in 2017-18 but coming up just short against the Swift Current Broncos. While the loss was disappointing, Walker believes that experience spurred on his career, making him the strong defenceman he is today. Walker finished his WHL career in Regina's East Division Hub due to Covid-19, but thought the bubble experience prepared him well for the transition to University play that he will experience this fall. Like many others in the 2020-21 recruiting class, Walker is entering into open studies, but has an interest in pursuing MRU's physical literacy program with ideas of becoming a physical education teacher in the future.
 
Josh Tarzwell
Hometown: Red Deer, Alberta
Position: Forward
One of the Red Deer Rebels' mainstay forwards for the past four years is joining the Cougars this fall and intends to make a big impact. Although Josh Tarzwell was originally drafted to the WHL's Lethbridge Hurricanes, he returned to his hometown to continue his career and cement his position on the team as a physical force that can shoot with strength and accuracy as a power forward. Tarzwell also spent time in a hockey bubble this past season and even lived at the rink with his teammate as a strategy to combat Covid-19 while continuing to play. During his time in the bubble, Tarzwell began thinking about his future and became interested in Mount Royal's Criminal Justice program, so when he was recruited by the Cougars, he felt things fall into place. While Tarzwell knew that he was fortunate to have some semblance of a season this past year in a bubble, he is looking forward to playing with a sense of "normality" again while taking on new challenges with Mount Royal.
 
Robbie Holmes
Hometown: New Sarepta, Alberta
Position: Forward
Like Jared Power, Robbie Holmes joined the MRU Cougars last season over Christmas. After spending time in the ECHL with Kansas City Mavericks, Holmes was interested in accessing his WHL scholarship with MRU. Prior to his joining, Holmes celebrated a successful career in the WHL primarily with the Regina Pats but also spending a bit of time with the Everett Silvertips. As a power forward that likes to stick up for his teammates and do anything to win, Holmes' competitive drive will be an asset for the Cougars come this fall. During his time with MRU, Holmes will begin in the open studies program with goals of transferring to the business program.
 
Ethan Regnier
Hometown: Prince Albert, Saskatchewan
Position: Forward
Joining the Cougars will be somewhat familiar territory for Ethan Regnier given his connection to new recruits and current MRU players. As members of the 2018 WHL Championship team in Swift Current, Regnier and returning Cougar Andrew Fyten look forward to playing together again for the same team. Regnier's championship bond with Fyten is also a reason he was interested in coming to MRU and pursuing his university education. As a forward that focuses on the defensive aspect of the game, Regnier describes himself as a strong two-way centreman who can support his team on both ends of the ice. Like his teammates, Reginier is excited about the talent of MRU's team and is looking forward to the potential they have over the next few seasons.
 
Seth Bafaro
Hometown: Revelstoke, British Columbia
Position: Defence
With over four years of experience in the WHL between the Tri-City Americans, Saskatoon Blades and Vancouver Giants plus another year in the BCHL with the Vernon Vipers, Seth Bafaro is excited to transition to the U SPORTS and Canada West league for a new challenge. Known as a reliable defenceman that likes to play a simple but physical game, Bafaro should be a strong addition to MRU's blueline brigade this year. While he knows university hockey will be a new test for him on the ice, Bafaro is also excited to be challenged as he returns to school and takes other steps forward in adulthood, such as living with his teammates. In the fall, Bafaro will begin in MRU's open studies program, but looks to transfer into the physical literacy program in the near future.
 
Spencer Moe
Hometown: Calgary, Alberta
Position: Forward
After growing up in Calgary and playing through local organizations, Spencer Moe was selected 28th overall in the 2015 WHL Draft by the Prince Albert Raiders. For his five-year WHL career, Moe was a consistent player in the Raiders lineup. His time in Prince Albert can be highlighted by their 2018-19 WHL Championship and his assistant captain nod in the 2020-21 season, proving his longevity and work ethic in the game. Described as a dynamic, play-making forward who can play consistently well throughout the lineup and commits to doing the little things right to churn out big results, expect a strong performance from the Calgary local with the Cougars. In the fall Moe will join the sports and recreation management program with the goal of working towards a career in sports agency.
 
Levi Kleiboer
Hometown: Martensville, Saskatchewan
Position: Defence
Born and raised in Martensville, Saskatchewan, Levi Kleiboer worked his way through local hockey programs until landing with the Battleford North Stars of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL). In his 2016-17 season with the North Stars, Kleiboer became an SJHL Champion which put him in a position to earn a spot on the Canada West team in 2017-18, competing and winning gold at the World Junior A Challenge. From Saskatchewan, Kleiboer transferred down to the North American Hockey League (NAHL) for a stint with the Minot Minotauros before making the jump to the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) with the University of Maine. Now, joining the Cougars, Kleiboer is bringing offensive tendencies on the power play as a defenceman. With his previous finance education from Maine, Kleiboer will continue down a similar education path in the fall with MRU.

Photo Credits:
Regnier, Kolle: Chris Mast / Everett Silvertips
Walker, Moe, Holmes: Keith Hershmiller / Regina Pats
Tarzwell: Rob Wallator / Red Deer Rebels