The Bison men's hockey team begins the 2016-17 Canada West conference season by hosting the Mount Royal Cougars on October 14-15 weekend at the Wayne Fleming Arena (U of M Fort Garry campus). Puck drop versus the Cougars will be 7 p.m. CT on Friday and 1 p.m. CT on Saturday.

The Bisons are heading into the regular season after a successful 7-2 record in the 2016 pre-season.

In addition, Manitoba looks to win season opener game for the first time since the 2011-12 season (W 2-0 at Calgary on Sept. 30/11). The last time the Herd won a season opener at home was 2009-10 (W 2-1 vs. Saskatchewan on Oct. 2/09). Overall, the Bisons are 25-25-0 (Home 13-12-0; Away 12-13-0) in season opener games in the program's history.

Manitoba enters the conference season ranked number four in the annual conference coaches' poll. The Herd finished 2015-16 conference regular season record with a 13-13-2 record and fourth place In conference and then lost 2-1 to Calgary at home in Canada West Quarter-Finals best-of-three playoff series

Returning veterans to the team include third year forward Jordan DePape, 2015-16 Canada West First Team All-Star, who captured the Canada West conference men's hockey scoring title with 41 points in 2015-16 and becomes first Bison to accomplish this feat since Canada West and GPAC merged in 1985-86. Plus, Bison second year defenceman Adam Henry and forward Brett Stovin, both selected to Canada West All-Rookie Team, will be lean upon in their sophomore campaign.

In the off-season, the Bisons had a strong recruiting class and expect all to make an immediate impact. Forwards Remi Laurencelle, Nick Zajac, Brad Bowles, Shawn Bowles, Quinton Lisoway, Kamerin Nault and Garrett Johnston all start their rookie season with the squad.


Bison Notes: Last season, the Bisons went 0-4 against Mount Royal (Jan. 15/16: L 3-2 at home; Jan. 16/16: L 3-1 at home; Oct. 16/15: L 6-1 on road; Oct. 17/15: L 3-1 on road). Since Mount Royal entered Canada West play in the 2012-13 season, Manitoba has a 9-7 regular season record and 1-2 in playoffs against the Cougars.


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2016-17 Canada West men's hockey season preview: Manitoba Bisons

2015-16 CW regular season record: 13-13-2/ 4th place In conference

2015-16 post-season record: 1-2 / lost 2-1 to Calgary at home in Canada West Quarter-Finals best-of-three playoff series

Last CW championship / total CW championships: 1964-65 / 2
Last CIS championship / total CIS championships: 1964-65 / 1

2015-16 CW regular season ranks:
Offence: 92 goals, 4th in conference
Defence: 96 goals, 6th in conference
Power play: 17.6%, 6th in conference
Penalty kill: 72.4%, 8th in conference

2015-16 CW regular season leaders:
Goals: 19 – Jordan DePape, Forward
Assists: 22 – Jordan DePape, Forward
Points: 41 – Jordan DePape, Forward
Wins: 7 – Justin Paulic, Goaltender
Shutouts: 0 – Justin Paulic and Byron Spriggs, Goaltender

Key additions (name / position / eligibility / hometown / last team):
Remi Laurencelle / Forward / 1 / Winnipeg, MB / Everett Silvertips
Nick Zajac / Forward / 1 / Headingley, MB / Saskatoon Blades
Garrett Johnston / Defenceman / 1 / Winnipeg, MB / Moncton Wildcats
Brad Bowles / Forward / 1 / Elkhorn, MB / Portage Terriers
Shawn Bowles / Forward / 1 / Elkhorn, MB / Portage Terriers
Quinton Lisoway / Forward / 1 / Neepawa, MB / Brandon Wheat Kings
Kamerin Nault / Forward / 1 / Winnipeg, MB / Winnipeg Blues
Brett Dudar / Forward / 2 / Winnipeg, MB / Selkirk Steelers
Hudson Friesen / Forward / 3 / Winnipeg, MB / Uni. Of Alaska Anchorage

Key losses (name / position / hometown / years with program):
Luke Paulsen / Defenceman / Winnipeg, MB / 3

Key performer:
Brett Stovin
Forward
2
Stony Mountain, MB

The numbers speak for themselves.

Bison second year forward Brett Stovin is poised for another impactful Canada West season in 2016-17.

In the 2015-16 season, Stovin, 22, was selected to Canada West All-Rookie Team. He finished his rookie campaign at Manitoba with 26 points (12g, 14a), good for a tie for 15th in Canada West scoring and tied for third best among rookie scoring. The Stony Mountain, MB native also tied for the second longest point streak in 2015-16 with 11 games (started on Oct. 31/15 to Jan. 9/16) as he played in all 28 conference regular season games.

What isn't measure is his leadership. Bison men's hockey head coach Mike Sirant enthused about Stovin off ice contributions, "Brett provides amazing leadership; great character and personality and relates well to people and is supportive and encouraging to his teammates."

The two-way forward not only can put pucks into the net but also is a complete player that provides solid defensive work. Stovin is a player as impressed by Sirant as a player, "who scores, can make plays to generate offence…and showing the ability as game-breaker."

2016-17 Preview: The Bisons had an impressive 2016 pre-season as they went 7-2 and now aim to reach higher than fourth place finish that they accomplished last season.

The team has a good mix of veterans and rookies that will provide more depth on the forward lines and have a more balanced offence attack. There has been strong competition throughout training camp and pre-season for roster spots and this year's Bison squad should be exciting and as head coach Mike Sirant stated, "will play fast, pressure puck position game while still staying true to our identity of being a team hard to play against when we don't have the puck."
 
The veterans will elevate their skill levels into this season. Returning veterans to the team include third year forward Jordan DePape, 2015-16 Canada West First Team All-Star, who captured the Canada West conference men's hockey scoring title with 41 points in 2015-16 and becomes first Bison to accomplish this feat since Canada West and GPAC merged in 1985-86. Plus, Bison second year defenceman Adam Henry and forward Brett Stovin, both selected to Canada West All-Rookie Team, will be lean upon this season.

In the off-season, the Bisons had a strong recruiting class and expect all to make an immediate impact. Forwards Remi Laurencelle, Nick Zajac, Brad Bowles, Shawn Bowles, Quinton Lisoway, Kamerin Nault and Garrett Johnston all start their rookie season with the squad.

There is optimism that the Bisons can reach their goal of Top 3 in the competitive Canada West standings in the 2016-17 season.