Your 2020-21 Trinity Western Spartans

We're back with the continuing series in looking at the field that would have played during this 2020-21 Canada West season, and that means we need to focus on the other new team as the Trinity Western Spartans charge into battle. The Spartans might have the toughest time adjusting from their previous league in arriving in the ultra-competitive Canada West Conference, but the Spartans are a young squad who will only get better with time and experience. Head coach Jean LaForest has all sorts of experience at different levels of hockey, and that will come in handy in the early years of Canada West play for this program. What they lack in university experience, they make for with enthusiasm and not knowing better, but will that be enough to get TWU over the hump in their inaugural Canada West season?

As we've done for this entire series, take nothing you see above as being the truth when it comes to the Spartans' lineup. Head coach Jean LaForest has coached in more leagues than I've coached games in my career, so you know who gets the final say when it comes to putting players in line combinations and on the ice. This video-game version of the Trinity Western Spartans does give you an idea of who would have skated for the Spartans in 2020-21 in their first Canada West season!

The Spartans have all sorts of youth on their roster, and there will be growing pains early in the season as they figure out this Canada West Conference. Youth is often something you want to add to a growing roster, but getting it all in one dose usually means that the kids will take a few scrapes, bumps, and bruises before they have the mettle to grind out wins in Canada West. That being said, there are players who should dazzle with skill as Neisha Germann, Desi Wiens, Hayley Johnson, and Chloe Reid have all shown they can score previously in their careers. The defence will be tested by their opponents often as they are young and inexperienced, but the trial by fire will likely mean better defensive play in the future. Goaltending will likely see all three of Chantel Weller, Jordan Mackow, and Jadeyn Kastning used over the season until a legitimate number-one goalie emerges, but these three bring all sorts of skill to the blue paint upon which the Spartans will rely.

Knowing how inexperienced this team is as they approach their first season of play is a reminder why the 2021-22 season might be a struggle. We saw the Manitoba Bisons play a lot of younger players last season, and it took them nearly half the season to really start finding their game against some of the better teams in Canada West. While there's no doubt that the Spartans will battle all season long, there may be some lopsided scores where Trinity Western finds themselves on the wrong side. What shouldn't be forgotten is that the Spartans are gaining experience playing at the Canada West level and growing together as a team. History tells us that teams who grow together often find success together as they mature.

Here are the 25 players who would will suit up for the Trinity Western Spartans' inaugural Canada West season in hockey card form. Like MacEwan, there are a pile of players who have no in-game action shots which has me struggling to believe there aren't in-game photos of these highly-touted players somewhere out there. In any case, here's hoping we get a few photos to fill those gaps when they visit in September.

2020-21 Trinity Western Spartans Women's Hockey Team

The Trinity Western Spartans would be your longest of longshots to win the Canada West Conference banner this season, and it might be asking a lot for them to make the playoffs in their first campaign. They will give every team their best in each and every game, but experience matters at the Canada West level. That lack of experience will make for some rough nights for the Spartans, but this group will get better with every game they play. They do have enough skill to surprise teams that overlook them, but the losses they may see in 2021-22 will be forgotten as this team builds for what looks like an exciting future!

Until next time, keep your sticks on the ice!