Players Bench Male Athlete of the Week: Dawson Seitz

First-year forward Dawson Seitz made an immediate impact for the Mount Royal University Cougars men's hockey team, recording five points in a two-game sweep of the MacEwan Griffins to open the 2026-27 season.

The Medicine Hat product recorded two goals and an assist in the Cougars' 5-2 victory on Oct. 9 before adding a goal and an assist in a dominant 6-0 win to sweep the weekend series with the Griffins. Seitz's offensive production was a key factor in MRU beginning its Canada West campaign with back-to-back victories.

The Cougars will look to carry their early-season momentum into their next matchup when they host the University of Calgary Dinos on Oct. 23.

Players Bench Female Athlete of the Week: Kiana McNinch

Fifth-year forward Kiana McNinch helped the Mount Royal University Cougars women's hockey team open the 2026-27 season with a pair of victories over the MacEwan Griffins, as MRU earned back-to-back 3-1 wins.
McNinch recorded a goal and an assist in the Cougars' home opener, finishing as one of just two MRU players to record a multi-point performance over the weekend. Coming off a career-best 18-point season in 2025-26, the veteran forward will look to build on that production as she enters her fifth season with the Cougars.
MRU will look to extend its winning start to the season when the Cougars travel across the city to face the University of Calgary Dinos on Oct. 23.

Players Bench Team Apparel is the sponsor of Mount Royal University's Athletes of the Week and the supplier of the Cougars Under Armour team gear.