16 games down, 12 games to go
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The Huskie men’s hockey team completed the 2023 portion of the season schedule with an 11 and 5 record, in fifth place in the Canada West standings. As is always the case, it is very tight. Saskatchewan sits 4 points out of third place and 7 points out of top spot. The Huskies have two games in hand on the four teams ahead of them. (Calgary, UBC, Alberta and Mount Royal)
Despite losing the final two games of the calendar year to Mount Royal, Saskatchewan has proven it is among the elite Canada West teams, defeating the 2nd place UBC Thunderbirds in Vancouver on November 17th and 18th and earning a split with the Alberta Golden Bears in Edmonton on November 3rd and 4th. “I think we are fine”, said head coach Brandin Cote. I think we’ve handled everything in stride. When you do a deep dive, there are lots of good things there. I like our chances against any of these teams.”
Cote has many first year players who have had large amounts of ice time. An early season injury to centreman Liam Keeler led to an expanded role for former Everett Silvertip, Raphael Pelletier. The Legal, Alberta product made the most of it with 7 goals in the first 13 games of his Canada West hockey career. “I didn’t know how long it would take him to produce offensively”, said Cote. “He took that opportunity, was able to play with some older guys, and it worked out.”
Centremen Josh Pillar, Cade Hayes, forwards Keaton Sorenson, Ben Tkachuk and defensemen Cole Jordan and Mac Gross are among other newcomers who have nicely settled into the program. “They’re all good kids”, said Cote. “They are totally invested in what they are doing. They are good team guys. Each one of them brings a different skillset to the group.”
