This is probably the most important GBHA E-Newsletter that we’ve sent out to date. So settle in for five minutes and read this.
We’ve got a big challenge ahead of us. It’s an opportunity to do something that could help the Golden Bears Hockey program in the long term.
With a lot of heavy lifting and the social media skills of our GBHA Media Relations Manager Delaney Miles, we’re going to launch a Golden Bear Hockey Alumni social media campaign to help persuade players in the CHL to come play with the Bears instead of going to the NCAA.
We’re calling this “The GBHA Bear Facts” campaign. It will be impactful, low-cost, hard-hitting and will definitely get attention across the CHL and in the media.
We have two pieces you need to read in today’s newsletter to see why we’re doing this:
- The first one by Steve Knowles outlining how the NCAA ruling has severely impacted the number of 16-20 year-old juniors who have headed to the NCAA this year. This is the recruiting pool that Stan Marple and Ian Herbers use to attract the best juniors to the Golden Bear Hockey program.
- The second piece by Dale Henwood lays out a compelling narrative for “The GBHA Bear Facts” campaign about the Golden Bear Hockey program and the reality of what’s likely awaiting many of these CHL juniors chasing the NCAA dream.
We’ve learned that both Canada West and U Sports have neither the time, money or desire to do any “marketing” to highlight the benefits of U Sports hockey to CHL players.
So, we’ll do the job for them. And we’ll focus solely on the Golden Bears.
All of us reading this E-Newsletter will pick this up, show some leadership, and do it ourselves. We’re sure others will follow. Given our status as the winningest men’s university hockey program in North America, it’s only fitting that we take a leadership role in an issue like this that clearly is a key one for the future not only of the Golden Bears hockey program, but for all university teams across the country.
Details on “The GBHA Bear Facts” campaign below – but let’s start off with some Short Shift items first:
Short Shifts:
- Want to see an articulate, strong and compelling endorsement of what it means to sponsor the Bears from our largest corporate sponsor ? Check out this video – Kevin Nielsen – Kiwetinohk Energy Video – that Delaney Miles shot with Kevin at our golf tournament. This Calgary-based oil & gas company – pronounced “Key-WHEAT-in-KNOW” – was a $50K Partners’ Circle member last year, and came back again this year with another $50K contribution. So $100K behind our hockey program – and you’ll see why in Kevin’s video. This speaks volumes about Kiwetinohk and our partnership with them.
- Dave Couves comes to town – one of the great things about the popularity of our E-Newsletter is we’re getting GBHA members reaching out to us to help connect with former team members. That’s what happened with Dave Couves, captain and Team MVP of the 1972-73 Bears, when he came through Edmonton last week on a visit from his home in Sydney, BC.
Thanks to Dave’s outreach, Dick Wintermute brought this group of GBHA members together for a reunion in Edmonton last week:
(L-R: Dick Wintermute, Dave Couves, Brian Middleton, Dan Boumeester, Paul St. Cyr, Bryon Baltimore)
From U Sports to the NCAA
By Steve Knowles
(Read this important piece below from Steve. You will note – highlighted in yellow – that 244 players from the CHL committed to the NCAA this season. That is a huge number, and shows us why we need to be actively recruiting potential future Bears from this CHL pool with our “The Bear Facts” campaign.)
On Thursday, November 7, 2024 the NCAA’s Division 1 Council passed legislation that rocked the intercollegiate hockey world on both sides of the Canadian – United States border.
The NCAA voted in a new rule which makes Canadian Hockey League players eligible to play men’s Division 1 NCAA ice hockey in 2025-26. Players who have skated in one of the three CHL leagues – the Western Hockey League, the Ontario Hockey League and the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League – are permitted to play NCAA hockey effective August 1, 2025, provided they were not compensated above actual and necessary expenses prior to enrolling in college.
As of September 8, 2025 Sportsnet’s “CHL to NCAA Tracker” had listed a total of 244 CHL players who have committed to the NCAA for the current 2025-26 season or for the 2026-27 and 2027-28 seasons.
The CHL to NCAA migration has also impacted teams in U Sports. In a poll of the 35 U Sports men’s ice hockey coaches conducted in August it was found that 39 players have made the decision to leave Canada and continue their hockey careers in the NCAA.
Prior to the new NCAA ruling, CHL players were ineligible to play the NCAA so many players graduating from the junior ranks moved on to U Sports. With the new rule, some of these players have opted to play in the NCAA.
The Alberta Golden Bears have been the hardest hit team in U Sports with a total of seven players joining the NCAA. Second to Alberta are the New Brunswick Reds, who lost six players, and the St. Francis Xavier X-Men had five skaters move south.
Following are details of the U Sports players who have joined the NCAA.
- 18 U Sports team have lost a total of 39 players
- Breakdown by Conference: AUS 16, Canada West Hockey 13, OUA 10
- Breakdown by Position: Goaltenders 3; Defencemen 14; Forwards 22
- Breakdown by Eligibility: 1 Year 22; 2 Years 13; 3 Years 2; 4 Years 2
- Breakdown by U Sports Team: Alberta 7, New Brunswick 6, St. Francis Xavier 5, Calgary 3, UBC 2, Carleton 2, McGill 2, Saint Mary’s 2, Acadia 1, Concordia 1, Dalhousie 1, Lakehead 1, Ottawa 1, UPEI 1, Queen’s 1, Saskatchewan 1, Western 1, Windsor 1
- Breakdown by NCAA Team: Nebraska-Omaha 7, Bemidji State 3, Lindenwood 3, Niagara 3, Arizona State 2, Mercyhurst 2, Miami of Ohio 2, Michigan Tech 2, New Hampshire 2, Rochester (RIT) 2, Alaska-Anchorage 1, Alaska-Fairbanks 1, Bowling Green 1, Holy Cross 1, Lake Superior State 1, Maine 1, UMass-Lowell 1, Ohio State 1, Providence 1, Sacred Heart 1, Vermont 1
The seven Golden Bears who made the decision to join the NCAA are goaltender Tyler Palmer, defencemen Aidan de la Gorgendiere and Marc Lajoie along with forwards Brett Hyland, Connor McClennon, Ty Nash and Sean Tschigerl. The seven players were key to the Golden Bears’ success last season, winning several awards at both the U Sports national and the Canada West Hockey conference levels.
In his freshman season in goal for Alberta, Tyler Palmer was named to both the Canada West Hockey second all-star and all-freshman teams and earned U Sports Academic All-Canadian honours. In 18 conference games Palmer went 13-5 with a 2.11 GAA, .915 save percentage and three shutouts to rank second in Canada West Hockey in all four categories.
The skaters were instrumental in Alberta’s second place finish last season as the six combined to score 84-138-222 in 222 overall games with 310 penalty minutes. In conference play they scored 61-105-166 with 202 penalty minutes in 152 games. The 222 points in overall play accounted for 43.8% of the Alberta offence while the six accounted for 47.6% of the Golden Bears offensive output in conference play.
Freshman forward Sean Tschigerl led the way with a team-leading 25-25-50 in 35 games. In conference play the U Sports Freshman of the Year netted 20-19-39 in 26 games to finish second in the Canada West scoring race and tied for the lead in goal scoring. On the national scene Tschigerl ranked sixth in scoring and his 20 goals were third among all U Sports players.
Why U Sports Hockey—and the University of Alberta Golden Bears—Should Be on Every Major Junior Player’s Radar
By Dale Henwood
(This excellent overview from Dale contains the key points we’ll be raising in “The Bear Facts” campaign.)
For Canadian major junior players looking ahead to life after junior, two main options dominate the conversation: heading south to the NCAA or staying in Canada to play U Sports hockey. Both routes have benefits, but the reality is that U Sports—especially powerhouse programs like the University of Alberta Golden Bears—offers stability, opportunity, and long-term value that the NCAA cannot always match.
Here is how the two stack up, head-to-head:
1. Stability vs. Instability
- U Sports (Golden Bears): Programs invest in players for the long term. Once you are part of the team, you are developed, supported, and valued for your full career.
- NCAA: With the advent of the transfer portal, rosters churn constantly. Players can be replaced quickly, leaving little security.
2. Roster Size and Playing Time
- U Sports (Golden Bears): Smaller rosters mean real opportunities to play and contribute every season. Players stay sharp and develop through game action.
- NCAA: Teams carry 30+ players. Many Canadians spend long stretches in the stands or on the bench, stalling development.
3. Program Commitment to Players
- U Sports (Golden Bears): Athletes are supported academically, athletically, and personally. Injured? Struggling? The program stands behind you.
- NCAA: Short-term commitment rules. If you do not produce quickly—or get hurt—your role, scholarship, or even spot on the team can disappear.
4. Family and Financial Considerations
- U Sports (Golden Bears): Scholarships and academic awards provide fair financial compensation. Families can easily travel to see games across Canada, especially within the conference.
- NCAA: Tuition is often only partially covered, and families shoulder major costs traveling across the U.S. to see games—if they can at all.
5. Quality of Competition
- U Sports (Golden Bears): Players are older, stronger, and more seasoned. Many are former CHL captains, NHL draft picks, and pro players. The league is physical, fast, and highly skilled.
- NCAA: While strong, the level of play varies significantly across conferences. Roster depth does not always translate to quality competition for everyone.
6. Academic Value
- U Sports (Golden Bears): Degrees from Canadian universities like the University of Alberta are internationally respected and open doors to careers after hockey.
- NCAA: Academic standards and program credibility vary widely. Not every degree carries weight back in Canada, where most players eventually return to live and work.
7. Competitive Success and Legacy
- U Sports (Golden Bears): With 16 national championships – the most of any Canadian or US program – the Bears are a perennial contender. You are joining a legacy of excellence that extends to both hockey and alumni success.
- NCAA: Success is inconsistent. Few programs have the sustained dominance or cultural impact that U Sports’ top teams have established.
The Bottom Line
The NCAA may promise glitz and glamour, but the reality for many Canadian players is instability, limited playing time, extra costs, and questionable long-term value.
U Sports—and especially the University of Alberta Golden Bears—offers a better balance: elite hockey, meaningful playing opportunities, respected academics, financial support, and preparation for life beyond the rink.
For Canadian players thinking about their future, the smarter play is often right here at home. And no better place than The Clare Drake Arena, with 16 national championship banners hanging from the rafters.
“The GBHA Bear Facts Campaign”
This is really simple.
We’re going to take all the arguments above and package them in a GBHA social media campaign, led by Delaney Miles. Our initial focus will be the players on the 23 teams in the WHL.
And how do you best reach out to this large group of young, 16-20 year olds?
Social media, of course. And that means Instagram, X, Tik Tok and other popular platforms. Delaney will be crafting a message for each of the teams, all the media, podcasts and others who follow the WHL – and she’ll be hammering home our “GBHA Bear Facts” messages.
AND we won’t hesitate to mention any setbacks or issues that CHL or U Sports players encounter with their NCAA campaign. This campaign will be brash, bold, fun and serious. Just watch.
Here’s how you can help. Here is the link to our Bear Necessities Fund – if you care to make a donation of any amount from $20 to $100, we’ll put it towards this campaign. Thanks to your generosity earlier this year, we raised $5K for the BNF. If we can do that again, we should have all we need for “The GBHA Bear Facts” campaign.
Will you help us? Will you step up and help the GBHA tell the positive story about the Golden Bears Hockey Program?
If so, please donate right here, right now: Bear Necessities Fund!
Here is the list of GBHA members who supported the Bear Necessities Fund earlier this year. Hope to see you all back for this second round, and have other join as well:
Adam Morrison, Austin Smith, Billy Moores, Blair St. Martin, Bob Steadward, Brett Cox, Brian Middleton, Bruce Crawford, Bruce Millar, Bruce Holder, Bruce Rolin, Bryon Baltimore, Clark Jantzie, Colin Chisholm, Colin Zarowny, Craig Hordal, Craig Styles, Dale Henwood, Dan Bouwmeester, Daniel Zarowny, Dave Jenkins, David McDermid, David Otto, Dick Wintermute, Dixon Ward, Don Darling, Frederick Halterman, George Severin, Graeme Craig, Harvey Poon, Howard Crosley, Jack Cummings, Jay Reid, Jerry Legrandeur, Jesse Gimblett, Jim Lomas, Jim Ofrim, Jim Wishloff, John Krill, Justin Wallin, Kelly Brooks, Larry Wall, Lawrence Richer, Lucas Nickles, Mark Hurley, Mike Ballash, Milt Hohol, Murray Tait, Paris Proft, Reg (Bryan) Targett, Ric Bartlett, Rick Peterson, Rick Wyrozub, Roger Kramers, Ron Heck, Ron Reinhart, Ron Vertz, Scott Adair, Scott Lindsay, Scott McDonald, Shelby Karpman, Stacey Wakabayashi, Stan Marple, Stephen Lockwood, Steve Knowles, Steve Shrum, Sylvia Ciurysek, Wayne Page.
Our campaign launch will be October 1st. Stay tuned!
