The University of Alberta Golden Bears will find themselves in a familiar position this week in Saskatoon, wearing a big bright target on their backs as the team to beat at the CIS men’s hockey championship.
NO. 1 ALBERTA GOLDEN BEARS
Team statistics
Head Coach: Ian Herbers (2nd season)
Regular season record: 25-2-1
Regular season standing: 1st Canada West
Playoff record: 4-0
Playoff finish: Canada West champions
Overall record vs. CIS teams: 38-5
Overall record vs. U Cup teams: 5-0 vs. Saskatchewan
Top 10 final ranking (March 16): No. 1
Top 10 best ranking: No. 1 (15 polls)
National ranking (offence): 1st (5.21)
National ranking (defence): 1st (1.93)
National ranking (power play): 1st (31.9)
National ranking (penalty kill): 2nd (90.5)
Season leader (points): Sean Ringrose, 15-21-36 (27 GP)
Season leader (goals): Jordan Hickmott, 16 (28 GP)
Season leader (assists): Brett Ferguson, 22 (28 GP) / Jordan Rowley, 22 (28 GP)
Titles: 13 (2008, ‘06, ‘05, ‘00, ‘99, ’92, ‘86, ‘80, ‘79, ‘78, ‘75, ‘68, ‘64)
Finals: 18 (13 titles plus 2010, 1991, 1985, 1977, 1966)
NO. 2 ACADIA AXEMEN
Team statistics
Head Coach: Darren Burns (13th season)
Regular season record: 21-4-3
Regular season standing: 2nd AUS
Playoff record: 6-2
Playoff finish: AUS champions
Overall record vs. CIS teams: 30-10-1 (w-l-t)
Overall record vs. U Cup teams: 0-0
Top 10 final ranking (March 16): No. 2
Top 10 best ranking: No. 2 (3 polls)
National ranking (offence): 8th (4.21)
National ranking (offence): 4th (2.38)
National ranking (power play): 8th (22.7)
National ranking (penalty kill): 9th (85.6)
Season leader (points): Liam Heelis, 24-18-42 (26 GP) / Mike Cazzola, 11-31-42 (28 GP)
Season leader (goals): Liam Heelis, 24 (26 GP)
Season leader (assists): Mike Cazzola, 31 (28 GP)
Titles: 2 (1996, 1993)
Finals: 4 (1998, 1996, 1993, 1992)
NO. 3 WINDSOR LANCERS
Team statistics
Head Coach: Kevin Hamlin (6th season)
Regular season record: 17-11-0
Regular season standing: 4th OUA West (9th overall OUA)
Playoff record: 7-1
Playoff finish: OUA champions
Overall record vs. CIS teams: 26-15
Overall record vs. U Cup teams: 3-2 (2-1 vs. McGill / 1-1 vs. Carleton)
Top 10 final ranking (March 16): No. 3
Top 10 best ranking: No. 3 (1 poll)
National ranking (offence): 19th (3.18)
National ranking (defence): 14th (2.85)
National ranking (power play): 15th (18.1)
National ranking (penalty kill): 6th (87.2)
Season leader (points): Spencer Pommells, 13-19-32 (28 GP)
Season leader (goals): Spencer Pommells, 13 (28 GP)
Season leader (assists): Spencer Pommells, 19 (28 GP)
Season leader (points by defenceman): Kenny Bradford, 10-5-15 (26 GP)
Season leader (goalie): Parker Van Buskirk (26 GP, 16-10, 1 SHO, 2.66 GAA, .920)
Playoff leader (points): Spencer Pommells, 4-7-11 (8 GP)
Playoff leader (goals): Matt Beaudoin, 5 (8 GP)
Playoff leader (assists): Evan Stibbard, Spencer Pommells, Drew Palmer, 7 (8 GP)
Playoff leader (points by defenceman): Kenny Bradford, 3-6-9 (8 GP)
Playoff leader (goalie): Parker Van Buskirk (8 GP, 7-1, 0 SHO, 1.75 GAA, .952)
Titles: 0
Finals: 0
NO. 4 McGILL REDMEN
Team statistics
Head Coach: Kelly Nobes (4th season)
Regular season record: 21-5-2
Regular season standing: 3rd OUA East (3rd overall OUA)
Playoff record: 6-2
Playoff finish: OUA finalists
Overall record vs. CIS teams: 29-11
Overall record vs. U Cup teams: 3-5 (1-2 vs. Windsor / 2-3 vs. Carleton)
Top 10 final ranking (March 16): No. 4
Top 10 best ranking: No. 3 (1 poll)
National ranking (offence): 4th (4.50)
National ranking (defence): 10th (2.52)
National ranking (power play): 6th (24.2)
National ranking (penalty kill): 7th (86.5)
Season leader (points): Ryan McKiernan, 13-24-37 (28 GP)
Season leader (goals): Cedric McNicoll, 15 (23 GP)
Season leader (assists): Ryan McKiernan, 24 (28 GP)
Titles: 1 (2012)
Finals: 2 (2012, 2011)
NO. 5 SASKATCHEWAN HUSKIES
Team statistics
Head Coach: Dave Adolph (21st season)
Regular season record: 17-10-1
Regular season standing: 3rd Canada West
Playoff record: 1-2
Playoff finish: Lost in Canada West quarter-finals
Overall record vs. CIS teams: 21-15
Overall record vs. U Cup teams: 0-5 vs. Alberta
Top 10 final ranking (March 16): No. 10
Top 10 best ranking: No. 6 (1 poll)
National ranking (offence): 12th (3.71)
National ranking (defence): 6th (2.45)
National ranking (power play): 9th (20.9)
National ranking (penalty kill): 10th (85.1)
Season leader (points): Derek Hulak, 13-35-48 (28 GP)
Season leader (goals): Kenton Dulle, 15 (26 GP)
Season leader (assists): Derek Hulak, 35 (28 GP)
Titles: 1 (1983)
Finals: 5 (2005, 1987, 1983, 1982, 1981)
NO. 6 CARLETON RAVENS
Team statistics
Head Coach: Marty Johnston (4th season)
Regular season record: 22-5-1
Regular season standing: 1st OUA East (1st overall OUA)
Playoff record: 6-3
Playoff finish: OUA bronze medallists
Overall record vs. CIS teams: 31-10
Overall record vs. U Cup teams: 4-3 (1-1 vs. Windsor / 3-2 vs. McGill)
Top 10 final ranking (March 16): No. 5
Top 10 best ranking: No. 4 (1 poll)
National ranking (offence): 3rd (4.54)
National ranking (defence): 4th (2.38)
National ranking (power play): 14th (18.8)
National ranking (penalty kill): 21st (81.6)
Season leader (points): Mike McNamee, 14-22-36 (28 GP)
Season leader (goals): Damian Cross, 16 (25 GP)
Season leader (assists): Mike McNamee, 22 (28 GP)
Titles: 0
Finals: 0