Oct. 9 - The 2002-2003 edition of the Bison men's hockey team that faces off this weekend against the Calgary Dinosaurs will be a veteran-laden team that has high expectations for itself. Manitoba's line-up features six fifth year players, one fourth year player, and four third year players as well as 10 second year players.

With over half of his team's line-up in their third, fourth, or fifth year of eligibility, Head Coach Mike Sirant, who is entering his tenth year behind the bench at Manitoba, expects his team to challenge for a conference title. Just two short seasons ago, Manitoba won the eastern division of Canada West and Sirant is confident his team can get back to that level and take the elusive next step foward to win a conference title.

This year's team leader is captain Jamie Brewster who led his team in conference scoring with 10 goals and 18 assists, and overall points with 10 goals and 23 assists last season. The 5'9" 160-lb centreman plays much bigger than he actually he is and aside from being an offensive threat he is also one of the team's best defensive players and can often be found laying out to block a shot in his own zone on a penalty kill or winning a big draw in either end when his team needs it.

Playing alongside Brewster up front are two other fifth year veterans who should have big years in their final year of eligibility.

Leftwinger Kevin Vandewater has been one of the team's most underrated players throughout his career and often does a lot of good things that go unnoticed by the casual hockey fan. However, Vandewater always finishes his checks, does a good job defensively and chips in on offense. Last season the big winger finished with 21 points in 28 conference games and will be expected to up those totals this season.

Mike Reimer also enters his fifth and final year at Manitoba. The right winger with speed to burn will play a large role in Manitoba's fortunes this season as his game breaking ability has always been a treat for fans to watch. Reimer had 9 goals and 9 assists in conference play last year and Bison fans hope to see more in that department from him this season.

Joining these three talented veterans up front will be a a strong supporting cast that includes third year centre Joel Nedecky, and winger Brent Hobday as well as sophomores Kevin Saurette, Mike Van Den Bosch, Aaron Goldade and David Cameron.

Nedecky (9 goals-13 assists in 01-02) is a crafty skilled centreman with a knack for scoring timely goals and Hobday (6 goals-3 assists in 01-02) is a grinding winger who can dominate a game physically if he chooses to do so.

Kevin Saurette is back for his second year after a sensational rookie campaign that saw the Winnipeg native finish second on the team in scoring with 25 points in 28 games. For his outstanding play, the 6'0' 195-lb right winger was named to both the Canada West and CIS All-Freshman teams at the end of last season.

Aaron Goldade and David Cameron were two late editions to the team last season, arriving after Christmas. Both players made an immediate impact in the second half last season with Goldade picking up 9 points in 10 games, and Cameron notching 8 in 14 games. Both players are skilled offensively and those totals should increase this season.

Rookies Paul Deniset and Travis Eagles are two newcomers that should also make their presence felt in a Bison uniform this season.

Deniset spent the last few years in the W.H.L. finishing up his career with the Prince Albert Raiders where he notched 63 points. In four years in the WHL, Deniset put up 63 goals and 98 assists for 161 points.

Eagles, who plied his trade with the Brandon Wheat Kings last season is a defensive forward who will bring some size and grit to the Bison line-up.

The backbone of this year's team figures to be the defense corps that returns two fifth year players, one fourth year player and two third year players.

Tony Owens enters his fifth and final year of eligibility with huge expectations after a breakout season in 2001-02 that saw him lead the team and tie for the conference lead in defenseman scoring with 20 points including 6 goals. Owens was named a second team Canada West All-Star for his efforts and will be looking to equal or better his output from a year ago.

Jeff Church is also entering his last year with the team. The 6'4" 215-lb rearguard is the most physical of the Bison defensemen and his presence in the corners and in front of the net makes it tough on opposing forwards. Church, who is a native of Dauphin, MB led the team in PIMS last season with 113 in 26 games.

Fourth year "D-man" Barrett Labossiere adds additional offensive punch from the back end and will be looking to repeat his season from two years ago when he finished fourth in the conference in defenseman scoring with 18 points.

Andrew Kaminsky, Blake Forsyth, Tom Plesh and Jordan Little round out Manitoba's defensive corps and all four are solid, tough players who move the puck well and play hard at both ends.

Both Kaminsky and Forsyth finished last season with 10 points each and combined for 98 penalty minutes.

Plesh meanwhile, returns to the team after a year's absence due to foot problems. Those difficulties seem to be behind him and the hard-nosed St.James Canadian product will be a welcome addition back to the Bison line-up.

Little, who comes to the team from the M.J.H.L. finalist Winkler Flyers is a physical player who also has good offensive skill. His 6'4" 204-lb frame along with his poise on defense should give the Bisons added depth on the blue line.

In goal, Jomar Cruz is the #1 man and will get the bulk of the work this season. Cruz played mainly a backup role last season appearing in 4 games, posting a respectable 2.78 GAA, a save percentage of .890 and most importantly winning all three games he started. Cruz certainly has the credentials to be a starter as he is a former second round draft pick of the Washington Capitals in 1998 and the Brandon Wheat Kings Rookie of the Year in 1997-98. In an exhibition game against the Manitoba Moose on October 8th, the native of the Pas, MB was outstanding, thwarting several Moose snipers from close range and keeping his team in the game for the better part of the game.

Coach Sirant feels good about his team this season, noting that the Bisons will continue to be a hard-working team that is defensively responsible. However, he is also quick to point out that his squad has tremendous team speed and good offensive talent, making the ability to strike quickly a huge asset for his squad. He also notes that the team has gelled quickly this fall and with everyone being on the same page early in the year, he expects to see his team bust out of the gates when they open up against the Calgary Dinosaurs this Friday at Max Bell Centre