Huskie captains celebrate with championship banner (Image Credit: Wray Morrison)

By Wray Morrison

Listen: Coach's Show with Brandin Cote

University Cup preparations

Mar 11, 2026 | 12:04 PM

University Cup experience won’t be an issue for the Huskie men’s hockey squad as the team prepares for the 2026 edition of the U SPORTS championships in Halifax from March 19th – 22nd. 14 of the 20 players who dressed for last season’s bronze medal win over Toronto Metropolitan return for this year’s championship.

USask has been stingy defensively during a 6-0 playoff run to a second straight Canada West championship. Goaltender Nolan Maier had 1.13 goals against average during the post season while a solid group of defenders led by Gunner Kinniburgh, Cole Jordan, Rhett Rhinehart, Landon Kosior, Logan Bairos and Ben Saunderson allowed just two goals in a two-game sweep over Mount Royal in the league final.

An impressive defense has led to a transition game that has generated plenty of offense in the playoffs. The Huskies outscored their opponents 24-7 in the six-game run to the league final. First-year forward Connor Roulette, who led the conference in regular season rookie scoring, has 5 goals and 12 points while graduating forward Chantz Petruic has nine points in the six contests.

The University Cup schedule and team seedings will be finalized once the Atlantic and Ontario league playoffs conclude on March 14th.

Huskie head coach Brandin Cote chatted with HuskieFAN about the 5-0 and 4-2 victories over the Mount Royal Cougars on March 6th and 7th that led to another Canada West banner and about preparations for the University Cup.

Listen: Coach's Show with Brandin Cote

University Cup preparations

3h ago

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wray.morrison@pattisonmedia.com

X: @wraymorrison