Golden Bears in the big leagues

Before coaching the Edmonton Oilers, Kris Knoblauch spent some time with the University of Alberta Golden Bears, winning two national championships in 2000 and 2004. He’s since gone on to describe his time with the Bears as “fantastic and memorable.”

“I am very proud to be a part of [the Bears’] organization,” Knoblauch said in an interview with The Gateway.

In addition to Knoblauch’s championships with the Bears, current Oilers center, Derek Ryan, also added a U Sports championship under the Bears’ belt.

“Winning the national championship my first year was amazing. I got a little spoiled doing that my first year, and we won four Canada West championships. So that was pretty memorable,” Ryan said in an interview with The Gateway.

“We always wanted to win,” Knoblauch says

It’s pretty neat that Knoblauch won a national championship his rookie year and then ended his senior year on the national win. Though maybe his rookie team wasn’t all it was cracked up to be.

“My first year, ironically, we won and we had a good team, but it wasn’t our best team. Actually, all the five years that I was there, it was probably our weakest,” Knoblauch said.

But the team grew and success came with it, though Knoblauch said they “never, ever took it for granted.”

“We always came to practice and always wanted to win, and there was a lot of pride in the organization just because of the success the team has had.”

Beyond his time at the U of A, Bears fans will be happy to know that Knoblauch actually applies the Bears’ coaching style with the Oilers.

“The coaches that I’ve had are shaping my experiences to coach my team here. And Rob Daum [former head coach for the Bears], had the biggest impact,” Knoblauch said.

How the program has developed since Ryan’s time

Anybody who’s stepped foot in Clare Drake Arena has probably thought this might be the oldest barn they’ve ever seen.

Well, according to Ryan, “the facilities have gotten some renovations.” It’s hard to believe, but we’ll have to take his word for it. Beyond the facilities, Ryan has recognized the improvement of the Bears’ program itself.

“I can imagine it’s just gotten better and better. I know the resources that the guys have now are more than we had then. It’s a traditionally strong program there, and it just keeps going up and up.”

Overall, Ryan said that it was “definitely a time that I cherish.”

“It was four years where I grew a lot as a person and in the last couple years, I was a big part of the team and had a lot of success.”

The Golden Bears have always been a winning team

It’s no secret that as 16-time national champions and 56-time Canada West Champions, that the Bears have a history of success. In fact, they’re the most successful U Sports team in terms of national and conference wins — and the dedication to get there hasn’t changed.

Though, maybe it was more recognized back then.

“The pros would come and skate with us, and we heard many times about how surprised they were about how hard we worked, because here we are, just student athletes. We weren’t really playing for much, but I don’t think we ever took a day off,” Knoblauch said.

As any Bears player will say, the program is historically successful and hopefully will be for many years.

“The identity has been established so well. It’s just important for everyone to continue that on,” Knoblauch said.