Golden Bears hockey chooses not to attend FISU: But what if they did?

The International University Sports Federation (FISU) recently released its U Sports men’s hockey rosters to represent Team Canada. What might seem odd is that no player from the University of Alberta Golden Bears hockey team was selected.

Note that the cost to attend the FISU falls on the team and players. As a result, the Bears’ program has chosen not to participate since 2017. However, multiple Canada West players have been chosen.

Five Canada West players have been selected for the men’s team. This is fairly proportionate considering the size of other U Sports conferences.

How the Bears’ current athletes compare to FISU selects

A notable player selected from Canada West was Liam Keeler from the University of Saskatchewan. Keeler has six goals and three assists, totaling nine points. Ironically, this is the same number of goals he scored the last two seasons, albeit in half as many games. A comparable center is Sean Tschigerl from the Bears, with nine goals and nine assists in 14 games. One key difference is that Keeler is in his third year, while Tschigerl is in his first.

Some other FISU forwards include Colson Gengenbach with the University of Calgary Dinos and Sasha Mutala with the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds. Gengenbach currently has nine goals and nine assists while Mutala has an impressive seven goals and 14 assists, in 18 games. Clearly a well deserved pick.

On the defensive side we have Jack Lee from the Thunderbirds with two goals and nine assists, also in his third year. Quite the offensive defenceman, but the Bears have a few of those too. Mark Lajoie is in his first year with two goals and 16 assists. Aidan de la Gorgendiere is in his second year with three goals and 18 assists.

Another exceptional player for the Bears is first-year goalie Tyler Palmer. However the goalie position can be harder to fill and it was probably the right decision for Palmer to sit this one out. A first-year goalie is a bit of a risky choice in comparison to a seasoned, champion goalie, like Sam Richard from the University of New Brunswick’s Varsity Reds.

Should the FISU make it more accessible for schools and athletes?

Interestingly enough, the Bears are not the only team to forgo sending players to the FISU. The National Collegiate Athletic Association only sends its division three players, likely because the games are held from January 13 to 23, right at the end of the regular season.

An oddly placed division one (D1) school is not going to send its best athletes to an exhibition tournament while competing for a play-off spot. This suggests that if the FISU games were held at a more convenient date, there could be more D1 participation.

Despite the limited number of players participating in the FISU games, Team Canada still does very well and a shutout is not uncommon. After all, it’s still hockey and this is still Canada.

Perhaps more D1 involvement from the states would create better competition between the classic Team Canada vs Team USA. A more competitive roster from opposing teams might make it worth the involvement from top level programs and athletes — like the Bears — despite the cost of attendance.