Bisons Men's Team Adds Scoring

For a team that struggled at times last season to even find the opposition net let alone put pucks in it, it seems the University of Manitoba Bisons men's team has decided to give that anemic scoring a major shot in the arm with their new recruits announced today. Manitoba's 66 goals last season was second-worst in the Canada West Conference, and a long way from the 134 goals that Alberta scored. Manitoba needed some solid scoring threats on their roster for this upcoming season, and it seems head coach Mike Sirant has found himself a few snipers who should help the Bisons eclipse that 66-goal mark from one season ago.

The man pictured above is one of those snipers. That's Josh Tripp of the MJHL's Swan Valley Stampeders, and he led the MJHL in scoring last season with 36 goals and 48 assists in 57 games played. Tripp's amazing season was part of improvements across the board for Swan Valley that saw them win 14 more games than they did in 2017-18, and it resulted in Tripp being named as the MJHL MVP and one of five players nominated for the CJHL MVP award. The Swan River, Manitoba native also added 11 goals and 10 assists in 21 playoff games, so it's pretty clear that Tripp can score under pressure as well.

The second player to sign on with the Bisons today is Bradly Goethals. Goethals finished second in scoring in the MJHL this season with the Swan Valley Stampeders, amassing 34 goals and 45 assists in 50 games played. He added 12 goals and 13 assists in 17 playoff games as he earned an MJHL First All-Star Team spot for his great season. In addition to his MJHL work this season, Goethals also played 95 WHL games with the Everett Silvertips and the Saskatoon Blades where he scored 19 goals and added 20 helpers. The 20 year-old Ile Des Chenes, Manitoba native has shown he can score at both the CJHL and the CHL levels, so he'll be a welcomed addition to the Bisons roster.

The third player that signed up for the Bisons today is Chase Brakel. Brakel was the captain of the Portage Terriers in 2017-18, and rejoined the team in December after playing at Cornell University earlier last season. He's been a high-scoring MJHL player throughout his career, scoring 26 goals and 32 assists in 49 games in 2017-18 and 34 goals and 46 assists in 58 games in 2016-17 before scoring nine goals and 11 assists in his 21-game shortened MJHL season this past year. Brakel went on a tear in the playoffs as he scored 11 goals and 17 assists in the MJHL and ANAVET Cup Playoffs, earning the MVP award for his efforts.

These players will recognize some former teammates in the Bisons locker room as former Portage Terriers scoring dynamo Jeremy Leipsic was a teammate of Brakel's two seasons ago. Goethals and Tripp will be reunited with Brian Harris who signed on with the Bisons earlier this summer as the three men were teammates on the Swan Valley Stampeders. Along with Tony Apetagon from the MJHL Winnipeg Blues, Matthew Stanley and Riley Lamb from the WHL's Swift Current Broncos, and Brady Pouteau of the WHL's Regina Pats, it seems that Mike Sirant has really put together a heck of a recruiting class for 2019-20!

The rest of Canada West will likely be bulking up this season to try and dethrone the Alberta Golden Bears and the Saskatchewan Huskies who are the perennial favorites each and every season. While I'm not sure that the Bisons have amassed enough talent to routinely beat these two teams, they should be better than they were last season which means that a playoff spot could be a reality for the Bisons. If they get hot at the right time, who knows what kind of season the Bisons men's team could have!

What I do know is that adding these three MJHL players with their track record of scoring often and a lot will definitely help the Bisons in their quest for a Canada West championship banner!

Until next time, keep your sticks on the ice!