UVic returns strong core, rebuilt blueline with season opener on tap

---

Last season, the University of Victoria Vikes entered the regular season as the defending B.C. Intercollegiate Hockey League champions but had to attempt a repeat minus a long list of key departed players.

The end result was a 10-13-0-1 record that was just good enough to see the squad squeeze in the league's fourth and final playoff berth, but their season ended with a first-round playoff sweep at the hands of Selkirk College.

But the three-time BCIHL champs now expect to see some payoff for some growing pains a year ago, as a number of rookie who took time to adjust to the university game are now primed to be part of the team's new core.

"Our coaching staff expects our returning players to lead the way on the ice, off the ice and academically," says UVic head coach Harry Schamhart. "(BCIHL First-Team All-Star) Shawn Mueller had a great rookie year and we believe he'll be successful again this season. We also have a strong group of returning players like (forwards) Evan Warner, Eli Wiebe, Adam Klein, Brad Robinson, Mark Prest, (defenceman) Alex Bond and (goaltender) Sunny Gill."

The Vikes have also brought aboard a recruiting class of six first-year players that is big on junior experience on the blueline.

The group includes former Junior A defenceman Chris Manhas (Humboldt Broncos) and Junior B veterans Brandon Parmar (Saanich Braves) Jared Hidber (Kerry Park Islanders) and Kevin Bow (Nelson Leafs). A fifth defender -- Thomas Bruton -- has returned to the team following a year abroad.

The fivesome addresses perhaps UVic's greatest weakness from the previous season, adding size and depth to the team's defence corps. During the 2012/13 campaign, the Vikes were thin at the position and often had to play a converted forward on the back-end.

"We're going to be stronger on defense than recent years," says Schamhart, who points out that each member of his new blueline skates and moves the puck well.

The team will also have a new captain following the departure of four-year veteran and former BCIHL MVP Matthew Bell. Stepping into the leadership role is second-year centre Evan Warner, who has experience wearing the 'C' from during his junior days with the Alberta Junior Hockey League's Drumheller Dragons.

"The coaching staff know that Evan can lead by example and still be able to perform as we need him to on the ice," says Schamhart. "Overall, this team has a great work ethic and will work hard and play a disciplined game. I expect that we're going to play better as the season progresses as we gain more confidence."

Behind the bench, the coaching staff will be buoyed by the return of Steven Foster, who was a part of the UVic's 2009 league championship-winning team. Also on board is new assistant coach
Kyle Smart.

Schamhart says that while he has high hopes for his own team's performance over the coming month, he's also excited by the continued growth around the league as a whole.

"I'm looking forward to the eighth season of the BCIHL," he says. "The league continues to get better and draw more talented players, as the results of all the preseason games against the ACAC demonstrate. This upcoming season will be exciting for the fans because they will be able to watch a very exciting brand of hockey."

The Vikes open their 2013/14 B.C. Intercollegiate Hockey League regular season schedule on Friday night when they host Thompson Rivers for the first of two weekend games at the Ian Stewart Complex.