MHKY 2023-24 Season Preview

The Mount Royal University Cougars men's hockey team opens up their season against the University of Regina Cougars on September 29 at 7 p.m. at Flames Community Arenas. Regina and Mount Royal have grown a feisty rivalry over the past seasons and this home opener is something fans won't want to miss. Tickets to the game are available online now.

Cougars Men's Hockey on Canada West TV

Every men's hockey game will be available live and on demand this season exclusively on Canada West TV – the official streaming home of the conference. To purchase your pass, click here. 

2023-24 CW Men's Hockey Preseason Coaches Poll: Team / Points (First-place votes)

1. Calgary Dinos - 70 (6)
2. Alberta Golden Bears - 63 (2)
3. UBC Thunderbirds - 59 (1)
4. Saskatchewan Huskies - 51 
5. Mount Royal Cougars - 47
6. Regina Cougars - 35
7. MacEwan Griffins- 31
8. Manitoba Bisons - 24
9. Trinity Western Spartans - 16

2022-23 CW Regular Season Record:

• 19-5-4

2022-23 CW Regular Season Division Placement:

• 4th

2022-23 Post-Season Performance: 

• Lost to SSK in Quarter-Final

2023-24 season opener

• September 29, 2023 vs. Regina Cougars

Head Coach / # season / Career CW reg. season record:

• Bert Gilling: 10th season, 135-87-23

2022-23 CW regular season ranks: Offence

• 118 goals, 4th overall. 

2022-23 CW regular season ranks: Defence

• 65 GAA, 2nd overall. 86.3% PK, 1st overall. 

2022-23 CW regular season leaders: Goals (Returning)

• 11 - Connor Bouchard

2022-23 CW regular season leaders: Assists (Returning)

• 27 - Connor Bouchard

2022-23 CW regular season leaders: Points (Returning)

• 38 - Connor Bouchard

2022-23 CW regular season leaders: Wins (Goalies)

• Riley Sims (8)

2022-23 CW regular season leaders: Shutouts (Goalies)

• Riley Sims (2)

Key additions (name / position / eligibility / hometown / last team)

• Drew Englot / Forward / 1st / Candiac, SK / Swift Current Broncos  
• Tristan Zandee / Forward / 1st / Airdrie, AB / Lethbridge Hurricanes
• Kurtis Smythe / Defence / 1st / Cloverdale, BC / Medicine Hat Tigers

Key Departures (name / position / hometown / years with program)

• Riley Sawchuk / Forward / Prince Albert, SK / 3
• Nolan Yaremko / Forward / Spirit River, AB / 4
• Andrew Fyten / Forward / Sundre, AB / 3
• Kade Jensen / Defence / Calgary, AB / 4

Key performer: Connor Bouchard

Connor Bouchard is the Cougars' top returning scorer and coming off a Canada West all-rookie team selection. With 2022-23 linemates Nolan Yaremko and Riley Sawchuk departing to pro hockey this off-season, Bouchard will need to develop chemistry with new linemates to be a key to offensive success for the Cougars this season.

Despite a smaller stature, the top-line winger has established himself as one of the most feared players in the Canada West. Bouchard skill is demonstrated through his incredible puckhandling combined with his smooth skating ability. The Cochrane, AB local's 11-goal, 38-point season last year was one of the best fans have seen from a Cougars men's hockey player. 



Season Preview

The 2023-24 season will mark a new era for the MRU Cougars men's hockey program as they look forward to evolving their identity in Canada West. The conference has grown more competitive as the years pass by and the Cougars continue to flourish. For the coming season, it will be about establishing a new culture following some key departures and welcoming incoming teammates. The focal point of building the strong culture is fifth-year defenceman, Connor Blake. For head coach Bert Gilling and the rest of the squad, there was no doubt about this important decision regarding the team's leadership.

"It was one of the easiest decisions that I've had," said Gilling. "Our first day on the ice this year, we told everyone: our captain is Connor Blake. It was a no-brainer. It was a big cheer from our group."

Blake leads a blueline that has the potential of being the best in the conference and the country this year. Kyle Walker has formed an excellent pairing with the new captain and the two create a strong line of defence on the ice. While mentioning the Cougars blueline, Clayton Hanus cannot be excluded from the conversation. Hanus joined the Cougars for the second half of the 2022-23 season and registered 11 points in 10 games. The smooth-skating d-man will have his chance to play a full season for MRU and will be one to watch in the race for Canada West's top defenceman.

Despite the departures of Yaremko and Sawchuk, the Cougars hold an abundance of depth up front. Along with leading scorer Bouchard, fellow returners Robbie Holmes, Spencer Moe, and Blake Stevenson will take on a bigger role in the offensive end. Incoming recruits Drew Englot and Tristan Zandee could see an opportunity to rack up the goals for the Cougars. 

Finally, MRU will possess one of the top goalie pairings in Canada West. Veteran netminder Riley Sims enters as an established goalie, having put up eight wins and two shutouts in 2022-23. The second half of Mount Royal's last line of defence is second-year backstopper Shane Farkas. The Penticton, BC local was the go-to guy for the Cougars in the latter half of last season and is expected to be important for his team's success this season.

Catch the team in action at Flames Community Areas starting this weekend.