2024-25 Manitoba Bisons/CW

[Hollywood3]

April 26, 2024

U-SPORTS/CIS BOOKMARKS

League Sites:
USports Mens Hockey Site
... sub-links : Standings : Schedule/Results : U-Cup
Canada West Mens Hockey Site
... sub-links : Schedule/Results/Links : Hockey Tech Schedule & Stats
... sub-links : Archives and Records : Media Access : LeagueStat Daily
OUA Mens Hockey Site
... sub-links: Schedule/Results/Links : LeagueStat Daily
AUS Mens Hockey Site
... sub-links : Schedule/Results - menu leads to all stats and standings
ACAC Mens Hockey Site
... sub-links : Schedule/Results : CCAA History
BCIHL Site
... sub-links : Schedule/Results
RSEQ - Hockey - Google Translate
... sub-links : Link Page : Schedule : Standings

Canada West Team Sites:
Alberta Golden Bears
Calgary Dinos
MacEwan Griffins
Manitoba Bisons
Mount Royal Cougars
Regina Cougars
Saskatchewan Huskies
Trinity Western Spartans
UBC Thunderbirds

AUS Team Sites:
Acadia Axemen
Dalhousie Tigers
Moncton Aigles Bleus - Google Translate
New Brunswick Reds
UPEI Panthers
St. Francis Xavier X-men
Saint Marys Huskies

OUA-West Team Sites:
Brock Badgers
Guelph Gryphons
Lakehead Thunderwolves
Laurier Golden Hawks
Nipissing Lakers
Toronto Metropolitan Bold
Toronto Varsity Blues
Waterloo Warriors
Western Ontario Mustangs
Windsor Lancers

OUA-East Team Sites:
Carleton Ravens
Ontario Tech Ridgebacks
Ottawa Geegees
Queens Golden Gaels
RMC Palladins - Former Team Site
York Lions

RSEQ (OUA-East) Team Sites:
Concordia Stingers
McGill Redbirds
UQTR Patriotes - Google Translate

RSEQ (Division 2) Team Sites:
CMRSJ Remparts
Concordia Stingers Division 2 (Elite Prospects)
ETS Piranhas - Google Translate
UQAC Inuk - Google Translate

ACAC Team Sites:
Augustana Vikings
Briercrest Clippers
Concordia-Edmonton Thunder
NAIT Ooks
Portage Voyageurs
Red Deer Kings
SAIT Trojans

BCIHL Team Sites:
Logan Lake Miners
Okanagan Lakers
Simon Fraser Red Leafs
Vancouver Island Mariners
Victoria Vikings

Exhibition Schedule:
2023-24 EXHIBITION/NON-CONFERENCE/PRE-SEASON SCHEDULE

Online video/audio:
CanadaWest.tv - YareTV link
OUA YareTV link
AUS YareTV link
UMFM.com - some Bison home games
USports Nationals - with archive

Stats:
Elite Prospects - USports Page - individual player stats on everybody
Internet Hockey Data Base (IHDB) : CWUAA Page - like Elite Prospects
USports/CIS Stats - 2009-10 to present
USports/CIS Schedule/Results - 2009-10 to present (no archive menu, must alter URL)
USports/CIS Standings - 2010 to present
USports/CIS Playoff Schedule/Results - 2013 to present (no archive menu, must alter URL)
AUS Archive (from 1986-87)
OUA LeagueStat (from 2007-08)
CW LeagueStat (from 2008-09)
Bob Adams Archives - CIS hockey from 1995-96 to 2008-09
Wikia/Fandom - U Sports
... sub-links : University Cup
Wikia/Fandom - CWUAA
... sub-links : GPAC : WIAA : WCIAU
Wikia/Fandom - OUA/OUAA
... sub-links : QUAA : OSLC : OIAA : QOAA : CIAU Central
Wikia/Fandom - AUS/AUAA/AIAA/MIAA
Wikia/Fandom - ACAC
Wikia/Fandom - BCIHL
Wikia/Fandom - North American Championship
Wikia/Fandom - Universiade
Atlantic Canadian Hockey History

Media Sites/Blogs:
TSN USports Page
SportsNet USports Page
ChrisD.ca
CISblog.ca
Independent Sports News
Hockey Scene - AUS
Ryerson Rams Hockey Alumni
AcadiaAxemenHockey.com
RedmenHockey.com (McGill)
Hockey Blog in Canada (includes Manitoba)
The Manitoban (student paper)
The Varsity (Toronto student paper)
Game On Magazine
Stadium Journey
Livesport
Flashscore
Huskie Fan (Saskatchewan fan site)
49 Sport

Recruiting/Transactions:
Elite Prospects - USports Transactions
USports Letters of Intent Page
USports LOI Registry
49 Sport - 2023 Men‛s Hockey Recruits

June 25 - revised RSEQ Division 2 links
August 14 - new CW site links

Click to read more...

 

[Hollywood3]

April 26, 2024: Three WHL Recruits

Thus far there are no official announcement at GoBisons.ca. However, Elite Prospects lists three new Bisons, all with WHL experience. There are not many other recruits in the CW. In fact, there are more announcements of players departing for pro careers thus far. Here we go!


DEXTER WHITTLE - D - Everett (WHL)

Whittle is just 5' 9" and is one of two Virden boys recruited to the roster. As a bonus, he shoots right. He is unfortunately known for being on the receiving end of a vicious hit-from-behind which cost him most of last season. He played just two games after a lengthy hospital stay. His assailant received a 25-game suspension. There are several linked stories and videos of the incident.

Links:
➤ Elite Prospects: Dexter Whittle Career Stats
➤ CHL.ca: 2023-24 Player Profile
➤ Brandon Sun: WHL NOTEBOOK: Dexter Whittle makes his way back
➤ BVM Sports: 2023-24 Player Profile
➤ Hockey Unplugged: Player suspended 25 games after putting opponent in hospital for 3 days with dirty hit
➤ Hockey Feed: WHL forward suspended 25 games for hit that sends opponent to hospital
➤ Victoria News: Victoria Royals forward suspended 25 games for hockey hit from behind
➤ Empire Advance: Whittle has gone from Wheat Kings fan to foe
➤ YouTube: Edwards hit on Whittle - Tough Call Breakdown
➤ YouTube: Alex Edwards drives Dexter Whittle into the glass


GRADY LANE - F - Victoria (WHL)/Virden (MJHL)

Lane played three seasons for the Spokane Chiefs in the WHL, and wore an “A” in his final season there. He then split his overage season between the Victoria Royals in the Dub, and his hometown Virden Oil Capitals in the MJHL. He is a 6' 2", 192 lbs winger, shoots left, and apparently likes to scrap. The offensive numbers in the WHL aren’t much (137 GP, 8-15-23, 250 PIMS), but his junior denouement in the MJHL was better (41 GP, 14-16-30, 155 PIMS). The Bison shopping list has two big items up front: scoring and grit. Lane appears to cover the latter fairly well.

Links:
➤ Elite Prospects: Grady Lane Career Stats
➤ Empire Advance: Lane excited to play for WHL’s Royals
➤ Empire Advance: Lane helps hometown team in many ways
➤ CHL.ca: Player Profile
➤ RoyalsFan.ca: Grady Lane, Hockey’s Swiss Army Knife
➤ YouTube Fights: March 19, 2023 :
➤ Facebook Video: [url=https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=886397443056279] rady Lane (03) puts home the nice feed from Braeden Lewis (03)
➤ BVM Sports: Royals Acquire Grady Lane in exchange for an 8th Round Pick


CADE ZAPLITNY - F - Everett (WHL)

Zaplitny is a Winnipeg boy, coming home from the west coast. He is 6' 1" and 190 lbs and shoots left. After splitting 2021-22 between the Winnipeg Blues and Everett Silvertips, he then played two full seasons in Everett with decent enough numbers (101 GP, 23-22-45, 92 PIMS). So a bit of scoring and a bit of grit.

Links:
➤ Elite Prospects: Cade Zaplitny Career Stats
➤ CHL.ca: 2023-24 Player Profile: Cade Zaplitny
➤ Winnipeg Blues: CADEN ZAPLITNY STAYING WITH SILVERTIPS IN WHL
➤ Our Sports Central: 2023-24 Player Profile: Cade Zaplitny

 

[Hollywood3]

May 4, 2024: One More WHL Recruit

I checked the LOI Registry and found that Bison Hockey has four names, the three from the prior post and one more. Here's the details.

SKYLER BRUCE - RW - Vancouver/Edmonton (WHL)

Bruce is 5' 10" and 168 lbs with a track record of goal-scoring prowess. I thought I remembered the name from Team Manitoba at the NAHC (the National Aboriginal Hockey Championship), but the tournament was cancelled in 2020 and 2021 when he would have been eligible. (Bruce is generally a Metis surname in Manitoba.) So this is not the player I was thinking of.

After partial seasons split between AAA and the Kootenay/Winnipeg Ice, he played a full season for the Winnipeg Ice in 2021-22 (68 GP, 16-21-37). He then split 2022-23 between the Ice and Vancouver Giants (63 GP, 15-31-46) and 2023-24 between the Giants and Edmonton Oil Kings (43GP, 15-24-39). His AAA stats were always better than a point per game, even better than two points per game on occasion. Another goal-scorer or three and the Bisons could be on their way in 2024-25!

This signing is not confirmed at Elite Prospects. No recruiting announcements have been released by the Bisons at GoBisons.ca.

Links:
➤ Elite Prospects: Skyler Bruce Career Stats
➤ USports: Letter of Intent
➤ CHL.ca: Oil Kings acquire forward Skyler Bruce from Vancouver
➤ CHL.ca: Skyler Bruce Player Profile
➤ BVM Sports: Oil Kings acquire forward Skyler Bruce from Vancouver
➤ Winnipeg Free Press: Ice forward has the magic touch - Skyler Bruce is on the small side, but he posts big numbers
➤ YouTube: WHL Hat-Tricks – Skyler Bruce

 

[jetsmooseice]

The ICE-Bisons talent pipeline is really flowing! Haha.

Looking forward to seeing what Bruce brings to the Bisons. I remember him mainly as a depth forward with the ICE.

 

[Hollywood3]

The ICE-Bisons talent pipeline is really flowing! Haha.

Looking forward to seeing what Bruce brings to the Bisons. I remember him mainly as a depth forward with the ICE.

Since the ICE days his points trajectory has risen. His 39 points in 43 games last year in the WHL could translate into 20+ points in the CW. That would be the 2nd highest scorer (behind Hooker) on the team. (Not really something to brag about, but still.)

 

[Hollywood3]

May 9, 2024: Teams Are Posting Stories

Although some teams have posted recruitment announcements (linked below) Elite Prospects has the most consistent early news across websites. Here are the links for all teams (some have yet to add a link for 2024-25.).

Links:
➤ Elite Prospects: USports Transfers
➤ Elite Prospects: Manitoba Bisons (4)
➤ Elite Prospects: Alberta Golden Bears (2)
➤ Elite Prospects: Calgary Dinosaurs (0)
➤ Elite Prospects: MacEwan Griffins (4)
➤ Elite Prospects: Mount Royal Cougars (0)
➤ Elite Prospects: Regina Cougars (4)
➤ Elite Prospects: Saskatchewan Huskies (1)
➤ Elite Prospects: Trinity Western Spartans (3)
➤ Elite Prospects: U.B.C. Thunderbirds (0)

The Bisons have started updating their website with recruiting announcements. So far, nothing anywhere about schedules. The two stories cover the four players previously announced in this thread.

Links:
➤ GoBisons.ca: Men's hockey announce commitment of local standouts Cade Zaplitny, Grady Lane and Dexter Whittle
➤ GoBisons.ca: Local standout Skyler Bruce announced as newest men's hockey commit

The Family Guys lead the league in posted stories, with four. All about their recruits, with a heavy local Junior A flavour.

Links:
➤ MacEwan: AJHL scoring champion, Lloydminster Bobcats captain Cabana joining Griffins in 2024-25
➤ MacEwan: AJHL all-star defenceman, Canmore Eagles captain Tallman joining Griffins in 2024-25
➤ MacEwan: Veteran goaltender Epp returns home to join Griffins for final season of eligibility
➤ MacEwan: Eastman returns home to join Griffins after capping junior career with prolific scoring season in P.E.I.

The Banjo-Cats have just one story, but have four recruits.

Links:
➤ Regina: Men's hockey signs defenceman Chase Friedt-Mohr

Holy Trinity has one recruiting announcement and a fund-raising announcement.

Links:
➤ TWU: Complete Champion Challenge Set for May 25th
➤ TWU: Men’s Hockey New Recruit - Sammy May

The Banjo-Mutts have no recruiting announcements, but they do have a unique ticket program. In addition to the usual types of perks, they also offer discounts on CFL tickets to watch the Saskatchewan Roughriders.

Links:
➤ Saskatchewan: Ticketing Details 2024-25

 

[jetsmooseice]

Looks like the Bisons are doing not too badly in terms of recruiting this season, a few mid-level WHLers is nothing to sniff at especially for a team that has been junior A heavy lately. Mind you, recruiting and retention are two different things, some of the WHLers in recent years haven't stuck around long before moving on.

Also, the pricing on the tickets in Sask makes me appreciate how good we have it here in that department

 

[Hollywood3]

Looks like the Bisons are doing not too badly in terms of recruiting this season, a few mid-level WHLers is nothing to sniff at especially for a team that has been junior A heavy lately. Mind you, recruiting and retention are two different things, some of the WHLers in recent years haven't stuck around long before moving on.

Also, the pricing on the tickets in Sask makes me appreciate how good we have it here in that department

I suspect that retention will be a growing issue across all USports, especially for male athletes. Four year degrees are increasingly an onerous commitment.

Tickets in Manitoba are so cheap. Best deal in town!

 

[AUS Fan]

I suspect that retention will be a growing issue across all USports, especially for male athletes. Four year degrees are increasingly an onerous commitment.

Tickets in Manitoba are so cheap. Best deal in town!

I would think that lots of guys are taking courses while playing Junior which would shorten their degree time.

 

[MiamiHockeyII]

I suspect that retention will be a growing issue across all USports, especially for male athletes. Four year degrees are increasingly an onerous commitment.

Tickets in Manitoba are so cheap. Best deal in town!

The opposite is actually happening. If you look at rosters, Student-athletes are realizing that an undergraduate degree is not enough, and are using their 5 years of eligibility and education packages to attain a Masters degree.

Now, in Manitoba many of the WHLers you speak of continued their degrees - some at UWinnipeg or RRC - they just quit playing for the Bisons.

I would think that lots of guys are taking courses while playing Junior which would shorten their degree time.

This is accurate. Most ex-CHLers arrive with pretty close to a year of core courses already completed. Some use that to lighten their course load, others use it to complete a Masters (or Law Degree) during their eligibility window.

The same thing is happening in the NCAA, BTW. There are so many remote learning options now, it's not hard for Junior Hockey Players to find time for a course or two each semester.

 

[UNB Bruins Fan]

Aren't CHL players required to take classes to maintain their education package?

 

[AUS Fan]

Aren't CHL players required to take classes to maintain their education package?

I don't know if it's a requirement to get the package but the team is responsible to get the kids in the right classes and do follow-up during the season.

I'm sure it is....

 

[Rob]

Very encouraging recruitment so far for the Bisons. I remember looking at the Rosters of other Canada West teams and seeing quality CHL players born in Manitoba. Looks like they may now choose to stay home.