Spartans set to raise championship banner in home opener vs. VIU

Fresh off winning back-to-back league championships, Trinity Western University is set to open its final season within the B.C. Intercollegiate Hockey League this Saturday as they look to complete a three-peat before heading to U SPORTS for the 2020-21 season.

Last year, the Spartans put together an impressive record of 18-5-0-1, finishing first in the five-team league and sweeping both their semifinal series against SFU (2-0) and championship series over Vancouver Island (2-0).

Notable departures from last year’s roster includes former captain Kaleb Denham, all-time games played leader Florian Niedermaier, having played in 119 game with TWU, and defenceman Jacob Mills.

The Spartans open the season at home Saturday against Vancouver Island in a rematch of last year’s BCIHL final.

“We’re pretty excited because we’re returning most of the core of last year’s team," says TWU head coach Barret Kropf. "It gives us some really good stability, while also giving our freshman and sophomore players the chance to get some good minutes while continuing to develop. Overall, I really like our balance."

"This year is essentially a continuation from last year. We aren’t having to reload, but instead we’re growing the players that we already have and, from six weeks of training camp, the guys have shown that they want to continue to improve every single day."

"We’re doing our best not to worry about next year. Obviously it’s in the back of some guys’ minds, but we’re trying to keep the blinders on and just focus on this year. We have a great group of athletes here and we’re just looking to continually improve. That’s our mindset and we’re not taking this season lightly at all. Every game is a new challenge for us and we want to make sure we rise to the occasion every time out.”

GOALTENDERS

Lucas Mills will once again be between the pipes for the Spartans, after an impressive season last year when he earned Goaltender of the Year honours. The fourth-year netminder posted a 14-3-0 record for TWU, leading the league in wins (14), goals-against average (2.27), and save percentage (.918) last season. Behind Mills, first-year Isaac Labelle (Saskatoon, Sask.) and fifth-year Allistair Duncan (Abbotsford, B.C.) will battle for back-up duties.

DEFENCEMAN

The Spartans defence will have a different look this season. Last year’s BCIHL defenceman of the year and Spartans leading scorer Dustin Deugau headlines the returnees from a group that finished first in goals against last season, surrendering just 62 goals through 24 games.

Second -Travis Verveda and fourth-year Elijah Vilio will also look to build on strong seasons on the back end. Look for the likes of Dylan Sakatch, Tyler McMinn and Trent Vilio to slot in defensively along with blueline returnee Evan Cusmano.

FORWARDS

Up front, the majority of Spartan forwards will be returning from a group that totalled a whopping 99 goals through just 24 games (1st in the BCIHL). Fourth-year Jarrett Fontaine steps in as the teams newest captain after leading forwards in points last season (28). Fourth-year Evan Last and third-year players Brayden Brown and Brandon Potomak will once again bring extensive experience and high-end talent to this year’s group.

Second-year returnees Jordan Bogress, Logan Casavant, Spencer Gerth and Spencer Roberts will all look to build upon strong rookie campaigns. Joshua Bruce headlines a small but promising recruiting class.

BY THE NUMBERS

2018-19 BCIHL regular season record: 18-5-0-1
2018-19 BCIHL playoff record: 4-0
Head coach: Barret Kropf (95-41-0-9) / (BCIHL career regular season record)
Last BCIHL championship / total BCIHL championships: 2018-19 / 2

2018-19 BCIHL regular season ranks:

Offence: 99 goals for, 1st in BCIHL
Defence: 62 goals against, 1st in BCIHL

2018-19 BCIHL regular season leaders:

Goals: 14 – Jarrett Fontaine, F
Assists: 26 – Dustin Deugau, D
Points: 31 – Dustin Deugau, D
Wins: 14 – Lucas Mills, G
Shutouts: 2 – Lucas Mills, G