It's been a journey of growth over the last two seasons for third-year men's hockey head coach Gordon Burnett and the Bisons. Last year, the team improved their win total by three, with three different players recording over 30 points for the first time in over 20 years. This season, they opened the campaign with a win for the first time under Burnett, 2-1 over Regina. All this to say, the team is moving in the right direction.
 
"I think we did a lot of positive things last year. This year we need to build on that with the guys that have another year of experience at this level. It's just about maturing as a group, and turning a lot of those close games into wins instead of close losses. It's a process we're on the verge of getting over," Burnett said. a
 
"We're still primarily first and second-year players. We have 12 first year guys and ten second year."
 
There's no denying the impact Manitoba's freshman and sophomores have had though. Notably, second-year forward Skyler Bruce led the team with 31 points a year ago, while fellow sophomore forward Dawson Pasternak scored 16 points in just 14 games in 2024-25 after missing the first half of the season due to injury.
 
"They're dangerous every time they're on the ice. The other team has to respect them. They both play right wing, so that gives you two lines with a dangerous player on each," said Burnett of the pair of quick, fast play makers.
 
"Not to take anything away from their line mates, but both of those guys can score on any shift. It makes it a little tougher for the opposition to key on just one line."
 
Eric Alarie is another second-year who's already made an enormous impact for the Herd. Blessed with pro experience at the ECHL level, Alarie's physical frame at 6'2", 210 pounds makes him a pain to play against when he possess the puck. He had 21 points a year ago for Manitoba and scored in the team's season opening win over the Cougars.

Other sophomores who made a difference last season and are back include Ben Bonni, Grady Lane and Caden Zaplitny, while seniors Michael King, Codey Behun, Evan Toth and Jackson Arpin add valuable experience.
 
Meanwhile, Burnett added two more ECHL veterans with the signings of defenceman Luke Brenton and forward Blake Swetlikoff. The former is a WHL champ who scored 17 points with the Indy Fuel a year ago, while Swetlikoff put up seven points for Idaho and had an assist in his first game for the Herd last night.
 
Brenton and Swetlikoff are two of the dozen recruits Burnett brought in for 2025-26, with a particular focus on defence. Half of Manitoba's commits are on the blue line, where Brenton, Sam Borschowa, David Bielik, Kaycee Coyle, Tanner Willick and Zach Turner join the fold.
 
"We were looking for some guys that could skate and move the puck. We focused on that. Our biggest focus was can you get to the puck by being a good skater and can you move the puck up? We found some guys that we feel can fit that mould and we were able to convince them to come to the U of M. We're happy they made that decision," said Burnett.
 
We did want some more size, which I think we got in Brenton and Turner, not that the other guys are tiny. Those were the two main things we were looking for."
 
For the third year in a row, Jonny Hooker will don the C for Manitoba. He tied the school record for power play goals a year ago, with 14, and has 64 points in the regular season overall, including a career-high 30 last season.
 
"He's got one of the best shots in the league. It's hard and he gets it off quick. That's a lot of the keys to what he's doing on the power play. It's hard and accurate. We rely on that. One of the reasons it was so good last year was because there were other weapons. All of a sudden we've got four other guys that are dangerous so you can't just key on Jonny. I think that freed him up to shoot more. It equates to more goals for him," said Burnett.
 
"He's consistent in what he does, he's got the respect of his teammates. He's really what it means to be a Bison. He's a Winnipeg guy who embodies what you look for in a Bison. He's a mature guy that can have a conversation and articulate his thoughts and opinions and that of the group as well."
 
In net, sophomore Braden Holt is the lead man. He made 37 saves in Manitoba's 2-1 win yesterday, and recorded 730 saves in 21 games played a year ago.
 
"We believe he's going to be the goalie we think he can be," added Burnett. "Experience is so valuable at that position in this league. He gives us a chance, no matter how we play in front of him. If he can be consistent, our group will win more games and we'll be more consistent too."
 
Burnett also recruited two other standout netminders in Matthew Kieper, "a highly toughed young player," and Cole Plowman, who will "make all the saves you should make and be calm and poised."