The men’s hockey season begins
The curtain goes up for the 2024-25 Canada West hockey season on Friday. The Huskie men’s team will host Regina Friday before visiting the Cougars Saturday. Coach Brandin Cote admitted he never gets tired talking about Trevor Wong’s arrival to the program. The Vancouver product put up 101 points in 68 games with the Saskatoon Blades last season and helped lead the team to the WHL’s eastern conference final.
“We’re super excited to have him here”, said Cote. “He was highly coveted by many programs. We were very lucky to get him.” Wong has plenty of big game experience leading the Saskatoon Blades to the 2023 and 2024 WHL east division finals, racking up 41 playoff points in 45 playoff games. “He’s a great teammate. He just fits right in and loves being a Huskie and being part of the Saskatoon community. He’s right where his feet are.”
Saskatchewan will have some added depth in goal this season as Saskatoon’s Ethan Chadwick joins the program. Chadwick spent last season with the Everett Silvertips and the previous two seasons with the Saskatoon Blades. “I wasn’t planning on recruiting him until next year, but he’s really happy to be a Huskie”, said Cote. “He’s played well in the (exhibition) games.” Returnees Roddy Ross and Jordan Kooy are both back for the 4th year of eligibility as well. “Depth at goaltending is going to be huge.”
With the graduation of Shane Collins, Justin Ball will be the captain of the team this season. The fifth year forward had 21 points in 30 games in 2023-24. “He’s a really quiet and mild-mannered guy”, said Cote. “He just leads by example by the way he carries himself on the ice, in the room and in the community. He can model what it means to be a Huskie. He’s going to be a great captain for us.”