The Bison men's hockey team looks ahead to a new Canada West regular season in 2017-18 season and announces four new recruits. Bison men's hockey head coach Mike Sirant, entering his 22nd season at the helm of Manitoba, is pleased to announce the commitment of forwards Michael St. Croix, Zach Franko, Lucas Skrumeda and Calvin Spencer to the Bison program for the upcoming 2017-18 season.
St. Croix, 24, red-shirted last season with the Bisons and last played three seasons with the East Coast Hockey League (ECHL) Greenville Swamp Rabbits (2013-16) and was also drafted by the New York Rangers in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft in the fourth round (106th overall). In 2015-16, the 5'11", 190 lbs. forward scored 40 points (11 goals, 29 assists) in 66 regular season games and added 41 points (15g, 26a) in 59 games with Greenville in 2014-15 plus contributed 48 points (17g, 31 a) in 53 games with 15 points in 18 playoff contests in 2013-14. In addition, the Winnipeg native played 13 games with the American Hockey League (AHL) Hartford WolfPack in 2013-14 and was with the Western Hockey League (WHL) Edmonton Oil Kings from 2008-13. In his five seasons in the WHL, St. Croix accumulated in 320 points (128g, 192a) in 280 regular season games while also being an assistant captain, 2011-12, 2012-13 WHL All-Star, WHL Champion in 2011-12 and hold Oil King career records in points, goals and assists. In addition, St. Croix is the son of Manitoba Moose Developmental Goaltending Coach Rick St. Croix.
Franko, 24, last played two seasons with the Acadia Axemen in the Atlantic University Sport (AUS) level (2014-16) and four year WHL career. In 2015-16, the 5'11", 181 lbs. forward registered 23 points (9g, 14a) in 27 games while adding 30 points (12g, 18a) in 28 games in 2014-15 with Acadia and earning 2014-15 U SPORTS and AUS All-Rookie Team honours. In the WHL, the Winnipeg native played for 3.5 seasons with Kelowna Rockets and finished with the Kootenay Ice. Franco had 220 points (81g, 139a) in 280 regular season games. Franko played with the Winnipeg South Blues in 2009-10 and had 54 points (24g, 30a) in 51 games.
Skrumeda, 20 (turning 21 in Oct. 2017), played the last three seasons (2014-17) in the WHL with the Everett Silvertips. In 2016-17, the 6'0", 180 lbs. defenceman notched his best statistical season in the WHL with 16 points (4g, 12a) with plus/minus rating of +18 in 47 regular season games. Overall in his WHL career, the Winnipeg native had 42 points (6g, 36a) in 175 regular season games plus played in 20 WHL playoff contests with six assists and was also assistant captain (2016-17), Most Improved Player Award (2014-15). Skrumeda played with the Winnipeg South Blues in 2012-14 with 19 points (4g, 15a) in 42 games.
Spencer, 21, played four seasons (2013-17) in the WHL with the Seattle Thunderbirds, Swift Current Broncos and Vancouver Giants. In 2016-17, the 6'0", 223 forward registered 29 points (16g, 13 a) in 66 regular season games with Swift Current and Vancouver plus added three games played in the Easy Coast Hockey League (ECHL) with the Tulsa Oilers. The Brooklyn Park, Minn. native had a four year WHL totals of 66 points (32g, 34a) with 225 penalty minutes in 230 regular season games and seven WHL playoff games played. In addition, Spencer is the half brother of Winnipeg Jets defenceman Dustin Byfuglien.
Sirant talked about the recruiting class for the 2017-18 season and the skill set for the four recruits. ""I am thrilled to welcome this exceptional group of recruits to the University of Manitoba. Each of these players brings an impressive hockey background to the Bisons and will make an immediate contribution to our team's success through differing roles. Michael St Croix and Zach Franko are highly skilled offensive players who have a history together as they played on the same line throughout their minor hockey days in Winnipeg. Zach has tremendous speed and great hands while Michael is a very intelligent and gifted playmaker. They both can score and will be expected to help lead the Bison's offensively this coming season. Calvin Spencer is a big body, competitive player who thrives on playing a hard, physical game, which is consistent to the Bison's style of play when we don't have the puck. He also has the ability to make plays and score. Lucas Skrumeda is a smart, talented, and mobile defenseman who plays a solid two-way game. He excels at moving the puck while also is very strong at defending. In Everett, Lucas played a lot of minutes against the opponent's top lines."
Quotes from recruits:
Michael St. Croix: "I am very excited to be joining the University of Manitoba Bisons for the upcoming season. We have a great group of guys who will do whatever it will take to win a national championship. Looking forward to starting the journey."
Zach Franko: "I am excited to be coming home to join a prestigious program and to help the Bisons on their quest for a national championship. This school is known both for its outstanding athletic and academic programs and I am extremely honoured to join the Bison family."
Lucas Skrumeda: "I chose the University of Manitoba because it's the best fit to continue my hockey career. With the Bisons I can stay in Winnipeg and have the opportunity to join a locker room filled with a great group of guys who are all looking to make a run for the championship."
Calvin Spencer: "One of the reasons I chose the University of Manitoba is because they play a similar style to how I play. The Bisons play a hard and physical game and that's what I feel I'm best at so they are a good fit for me."
