By Curtis Haugan /
Not since the NAIT Ooks of the mid 80s and early 90s has a team done what the SAIT Trojans could do this past season.
And though men’s hockey head coach and athletic director Ken Babey isn’t saying it, three-peating as ACAC champions is well in sight.
“I think we put pressure on ourselves to win a championship last year,” said Babey. “But we never talked about back-to-back. We go into every season trying to win a championship. That’s always been our mindset.”
The Trojans have come a long way since Babey first took the helm in the 1990s.
The former basement dweller Trojans have won provincial gold four times since 2000 and Babey saw the fruits of that success in training camp.
During tryouts for the squad in September, 57 players hit the ice vying for a chance at a championship – an all-time high for the program.
“The number one thing that makes players want to come her is the chance to win a championship,” said Babey.
“For the Canadian post-secondary hockey milieu, we’re a viable and attractive option for guys.”
This year’s talented roster is proof of that.
Seeing 14 new recruits join the Trojan family, with 11 returnees, it seems a strong balance has been struck with the squad.
Last year’s MVP, goaltender Reese St. Goddard, who played his Junior with the Lloydminster Bobcats, is back between the pipes, as well as backup Landon Kroeker.
Four returning blue-liners will add to a stable defensive unit, while former Calgary Royal Shane Lust and Canmore Eagle alumni Kevin Lassard will pick up where they left off on offence last year.
“We’re an interesting team this year,” said Babey. “And what I mean is that we have a very strong core of players.
“When you can have good returners in goal and defence, you have the making of a good strong team.”
The perennial championship contenders would be remissed if they didn’t have a flurry of blue chip recruits, and this year is no exception.
Atlanta Thrashers 2000 fourth round draft pick, and former WHL stand-out Blake Robson will be adding to his two years of CIS experience with St. FX by coming to SAIT.
The 26-year-old left-winger spent the last two years split between four teams in the East Coast Hockey League – Pensacola, Long Island, Phoenix and Utah.
Also, Manitoba Junior Hockey League all-star Jason Gray will be strapping on the red and white.
Gray had 60 points in 62 games with the Winnipeg South Blues in 2007-08.
“I think our recruits relalise when they come here they are expect to perform,” said Babey. “That’s the expectation.” |