U of S men’s hockey ready for another Canada West season

The University of Saskatchewan men’s hockey team returns to the ice Friday to begin a new Canada West season against the Mount Royal Cougars at Merlis Belsher Place.

A year after his team was busy with ceremonies and the extra attention and preparation that went along with the opening of Merlis Belsher Place, head coach Dave Adolph is pleased to be back to a more business-like approach to this season.

“It was kind of a Cinderella season last year, it really was,” Adolph said. “There was bells and whistles just about every night. Now there’s a calm. Now it’s back to normal — it’s almost ho-hum.”

The Huskies are hoping to duplicate the program’s best regular season that saw them finish 25-3-0, with just one loss at its new rink before falling to the Alberta Golden Bears in the Canada West Final.

The dogs will attempt to do so without the services of graduating players Michael Sofilas, Parker Thomas, Jaimen Yakubowski and captain Jesse Forsberg.

“Every year you mourn the loss of something your graduating players are taking when (they) leave. Jesse was feisty. He was a tremendous leader and had everyone’s back, and I think he was somewhat intimidating to the other team. I don’t know that we have that same grit now that Jesse’s gone,” Adolph said.

Replacing Forsberg at captain is fourth-year defenceman Tanner Lishchynsky, a former captain for the WHL’s Kootenay Ice.

Adolph admits choosing between him and alternate captain Colby Harmsworth was a tough decision.

“(They’re) both 85-plus average guys,” Adolph said, alluding to the academic performance of the two blueliners.

“I’ll be honest, I chose Tanner because he gets mad at me and pushes me around a bit, and I like that. I need to be challenged. (Harmsworth) is the voice of reason and he makes all the best decisions in the world for everybody, so two perfect candidates.”

Carter Folk and Wyatt Johnson round out the alternate captains for the Huskies’ 2019-20 season.

New recruits Cody Spagrud, Justin Ball, Jared Dmytriw and Declan Hobbs strengthen the group’s depth all through the lineup.

Adolph highlighted the opportunity for other players, mainly a crop of second-year players expected to contribute more this season after sitting much of last season. Lane Young, who broke the SJHL’s point record two seasons ago is expected to get plenty of time on the power play and among the top lines. Shane Collins, a defenceman who played sparingly last season, will get a more prominent role after joining the team from the OHL’s London Knights.

“We have a lot of returning players that all want an opportunity to try and do the same kind of thing again this year. I’m just looking forward to that challenge,” Adolph said.

“There’s lots of kids who had to wait their turn.”

Adolph will lead the dogs onto the ice for his 27th season Friday against a Cougars squad that is returning its entire roster. Adolph learned to never doubt the Cougars after the team eliminated the Huskies in the Canada West Quarterfinals in 2015.

“I think you’re going to see a top-four team, top-five team in the country in the Mount Royal Cougars,” Adolph said.