Darren Zary, Saskatoon StarPhoenix
Brandin Cote may feel a little bit like Jerry Seinfeld from the TV sitcom hit series of yesteryear.
Seinfeld always seemed to come up ‘Even Steven,’ as he himself liked to say. He’d win some and lose some but, in the end, things would always even out.
Cote — head coach of the University of Saskatchewan Huskies men’s hockey squad — is adjusting to an ever-changing hockey landscape. Major implications from NCAA eligibility rule changes are having a ripple effect throughout the major junior, junior A and Canadian university ranks.
Yet, so far, the Hockey Dogs appear to be holding their own.
Subtract a former 101-point CHL player and Saskatoon Blade in Trevor Wong to NCAA Division I University of Nebraska-Omaha? The Huskies have added ex-Blade forward Conner Roulette, a former 108-point man in the Western Hockey League, from the ECHL’s Tulsa Oilers.
Lose defenceman Landon Kosior to aforementioned Nebraska-Omaha? The Dogs have added former Prince George Cougars captain Hudson Thornton, from the ECHL’s Orlando Solar Bears, as the team’s newest commitment just this week.
Subtract goalie Roddy Ross to the pro ranks? Add former minor pro goalie Bryan Thomson from the ECHL’s Idaho Steelheads.
Saskatchewan also says goodbye to three graduates — Parker Gavlas (pro), Vince Loschiavo and Justin Ball — plus back-up goalie Ethan Chadwick.
Meanwhile, the Huskies say hello to former Prince Albert Raider blueliner and captain Eric Johnston, former Blade and Melfort Mustang D-man Nicholas Andrusiak, as well as a pair of NCAA Division I de-commits in former Mustang forward Zac Somers (Maine Black Bears) and goalie James Venne (Northern Michigan Wildcats).
Overall, things appear to be evening out for the Huskies, who are reigning Canada West conference champions and U Sports national bronze medalists.
“I feel really good about it,” said Cote. “Until you get going again, you never know. But I think we’ve done a real good job of mitigating some of the losses that we didn’t necessarily anticipate (because of new NCAA eligibility rules).
“With the additions we’ve brought in, it mitigates the impact of all this and potentially elevates (the team). I think some of the guys we’ve brought in are going to make an immediate impact, and we’ve got some really good solid support guys. Maybe it’s an untraditional way of going about it this year, more than ever, but we’ve tried to think a little outside the box and bring in the best players available.
“It’s been a challenge, for sure. It’s been uneasy just not knowing what’s going on with everything, but I like our group we’ve put together so far.”
While NCAA eligibility rules have changed to allow major junior players to play there, and with purse-strings down south loosening tremendously in many cases to attract recruits, U Sports has countered with a rule change of its own. Former pros are now eligible to play Canadian university hockey without having to sit out a full year.
Enter Roulette, Thomson and Thornton.
Thornton, a native of Winnipeg, signed a one-way American Hockey League deal with the Hershey Bears but ended up in the ECHL for most of last season.
“A real good player,” Cote said of Thornton. “A good offensive-minded D-man. Very similar to Kosior, just left-handed. He’ll really help us, obviously, with losing Landon.”
Kosior heads south to the NCAA despite having played minor-pro hockey himself. That no longer seems to be a barrier for entry into the NCAA ranks as long as you haven’t signed an NHL contract.
“That’s the thing — it is what it is,” said Cote. “I never anticipated losing Landon. These guys aren’t leaving because they didn’t like it here. They feel they’re getting to be able to take advantage of new opportunities — that’s just the way the world is right now in our area. I don’t know how he’s eligible (for NCAA after playing minor pro), but he is. He got an opportunity to go down there, and there are other guys who are going to the same spot that are in the same boat as Landon, for the most part.
“And Trevor, that was a tough one … (But) they’re getting opportunities to play where they foresee themselves potentially getting a little more exposure with the pro level and whatever else they’re being offered.
“I have no ill-will against either of them. They were great Huskies for the short time they were here and they helped us win another Canada West championship. They’re great people and great players, so I wish them all the best.”
The Huskies’ arch-rival Alberta Golden Bears have been hit particularly hard by off-season departures to the NCAA. They’ve lost goalie Tyler Palmer, D-men Aidan De La Gorgendiere and Marc Lajoie, plus forwards Sean Tschigerl, Brett Hyland and Ty Nash. Other departures include defenceman Elias Carmichael (European pro), forward Josh Prokop (pro) and Tyler Preziuso (graduated).
The Dogs expect the majority of their team from last season to return, with some younger guys taking on larger roles.
“We still have lots of guys that are returning that are in their second or third years that are ready to take steps,” said Cote.
dzary@postmedia.com
