The story of the 2022-23 NAIT Ooks Men's Hockey team was never short on intrigue, from Josh Lazowski going from being behind the bench to playing his first Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference games since 2014 to the Ooks making the ACAC Finals after landing the fifth of six playoff sports after the regular season.
Looking to build off of a season that fell just short of an ACAC title, the Ooks have nine recruits joining the team, looking to leave an impact on the 2023-24 Ooks as they write the next chapter.
Goaltender McCoy Bidewell is coming on board after two seasons with Cowichan Valley of the British Columbia Hockey League, where he played a total of 60 games and, in 2021-22, rocked a near-.910 save percentage. Head Coach Scott Fellnermayr describes Bidewell as a "structurally sound" netminder who will add to an already solid position in goal.
"McCoy is a serious competitor and a great teammate," Fellnermayr added.
Bidewell says he's eager to come to NAIT and take in all the aspects of campus life, especially while continuing to play hockey at an elite level.
"I'm excited to get started on my first year of post-secondary education and even more excited to be able to do so while playing the sport I love," Bidewell said.
Outside of the net, the Ooks are getting a significant addition from within not just the ACAC but city limits, as forward Keegan Tiringer moves across North Edmonton after being with the Concordia Thunder since 2019. A veteran of 62 regular-season ACAC games, Tiringer has consistently found a way onto the scoresheet. After leading the ACAC in goals in 2021-22, he helped the Thunder to a playoff triumph over Augustana before they fell in the final to NAIT.
"Keegan is the type of player that can get under the opponent's skin and then bury them on the powerplay," Fellnermayr noted. "We're excited to bring Keegan in for the 2023-24 season to see what he can do in an Ooks uniform!"
Tiringer knows what Ooks hockey is about and is ready to contribute to his former rivals.
"Looking forward to meeting the group of guys, as well as be a part of a great organization and winning culture," Tiringer told us.
A notable Victoria Royals contingent will join the Ooks for 2023-24, as winger Ty Yoder and defenceman Noah Lamb are joining for their first collegiate seasons. Both played for the Royals between 2018-19 and 2020-21 on contending status rosters, and both returned to the AJHL after a few WHL games each in 2021-22. Though they've been on separate teams the past two seasons (Okotoks and Drayton Valley, respectively), they've put up solid performances, with Yoder averaging close to a point per game and Lamb being a top-notch all-around defense presence.
"Great vision and passing abilities," Fellnermayr said of Lamb, a nod to his 33 assists over the past two seasons. "We expect Noah to help the team in all three zones and contribute to NAIT's winning culture in his rookie season."
Of Yoder, Fellnermayr describes him as an exciting scoring talent. "Natural offensive instincts and a great release that makes him exciting to watch. We look forward to slotting Ty into the lineup and seeing what he can do at the college level."
Lamb is eager to forge a long-lasting bond with Ooks hockey.
"I am looking forward to building long-lasting relationships through the hardships and successes that our hockey team will face during the season," he said.
Yoder loves the Ooks' "winning mentality" and can't wait to contribute to it.
"Looking forward to making new memories and new lifetime friendships. I am most looking forward to competing for and hopefully winning a championship with the Ooks program."
Ethan Leyer is an electric addition to the Ooks forward group, a centreman with what Fellnermayr describes as "blazing speed" and a driven work ethic to get the puck on his team's sticks. After breaking out for the Alberta Junior Hockey League's Whitecourt Wolverines (54 points in 64 games over two seasons) and playing a season with Alberni Valley in the BCHL, Leyer played last season out in Spruce Grove with the AJHL's Saints, with 37 points in 51 games.
"Leyer adds speed to the lineup in a big way," Fellnermayr explains. "He is relentless on the puck and dangerous once he gets it.
"Having Ethan's speed and work ethic will be a huge asset to the Ooks this 2023-24 season."
While Leyer will be studying for a career outside of hockey, joining the Ooks has him stoked for this upcoming season.
"Looking forward to joining an amazing program that has had a lot of recent and past success, we are going to continue to be a top program and carry on that amazing team success," he states. "I'm also really excited to start my post-secondary education ahead of starting my future in business."
Also joining the forward ranks after a lengthy junior career is Ty Whitford, who falls more into the rugged brand of play style. Following three full seasons in Drayton Valley and the start of a fourth, Whitford moved over to the AJHL's Drumheller Dragons, complementing his physical style with six goals and 14 assists (20 points) in 42 games.
"Skilled, tough, hard to play against," Fellnermayr said of Whitford. "Ty is a very smart player that makes good decisions with and without the puck, which is why he was trusted in all situations in his last year of junior with the Drumheller Dragons.
"His style of play in managing the puck and playing physical without the puck, will fit well with the way the Ooks want to play this season."
Whitford, like many AJHL players, knows of the greatness surrounding Ooks hockey and the culture within the team.
"I'm excited to be joining such a great team environment with a winning mentality to not only continue my hockey career but my journey as a student-athlete," he said.
Rounding out the forward additions is Jackson Hassman, a sizeable power forward-looking to further the addition of physicality and puck management that Fellnermayr is seeking. Hassman has played the last three junior seasons in Weyburn, SK, and had a breakout 2022-23 campaign, with 24 goals and 37 total points in 52 games, to go along with 136 penalty minutes.
"We are very excited to bring Hassman into the lineup this season because he possesses all the attributes to be a strong college hockey player, he has high-end skill, skating abilities, he's physical and a willingness to win," Fellnermayr noted.
Joining Noah Lamb as newcomer defencemen are Brophy Dunne and Kenyon Nyman.
Nyman joins the Ooks after a very strong 2022-23 showing with the Timmins Rock of the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League, posting a 60-point season in just 58 games played. That breakout season, bound with his other attributes, will always be noticed in cities well beyond Timmins.
"Kenyon is a smooth skating defenseman that really took off in his last two seasons of junior hockey," Fellnermayr said. "[He] loves to walk the blue line and get shots through.
"We are excited to bring Kenyon in to see what he can do at the college level."
Nyman is ready to play beneath the bright lights of a major city and a proud team.
"I'm looking forward to contributing to the long tradition of winning with NAIT," he raved. "With the great facilities and personnel, I am excited to start my college career with the NAIT program."
Dunne, like Leyer, is coming over from the Saints. While not primarily known for his offense, Dunne is a sound defensive stalwart who can make opponents' nights miserable.
"Strong, physical defenseman with a hard shot," Fellnermayr pointed out. "[He] takes pride in being hard to play against and getting under the other team's skin."
Though he'll stay in the Capital Region, there's no denying the ACAC experience will be different than the AJHL experience, but it's something Dunne looks forward to.
"Excited for a fresh start in college and to take the next step in my hockey career with a well-respected organization," he said.
Stay updated on team developments and catch any extra recruit updates by following the NAIT Ooks Men's Hockey social media accounts.
Mark your calendars for an exciting start to the season as the Ooks open the season at SAIT on Friday, October 13th, before the home opener on Saturday, Ocotber 14th at 6:00 PM against SAIT.