The University of Alberta began their 2016-17 season last night with a pre-season exhibition game against the Augustana Vikings at the Athabasca Regional Multiplex in Athabasca, Alberta. As expected the Bears dusted off the Vikings with a 5-1 final score. Of interest three new Golden Bears (Cooper, Baillie, & Philp) hit the score sheet with veteran Jayden Hart providing the other two goals. For this post on the University of Alberta Golden Bears I decided to look at the new recruits.
This is not a complete or official list; it is a list I compiled by listening to an interview Bob Stauffer had with Bear’s head coach Serge Lajoie and GM Stan Marple on August 19th. He had the GM on Oilers Now again yesterday and from those two interviews, along with the simplified box score from last night’s game, I was able to compile the list below of players the Bears have brought to camp. You can find the episodes of Oilers Now referenced here.
It is an interesting list and it appears that the Golden Bears have once again found some quality players to continue the tradition of excellence at the University of Alberta.
Here are the recruits:
The Forwards
Taylor Cooper, LW
- 4 Major Junior seasons with four teams: Brandon (WHL), Lethbridge (WHL), Regina (WHL), and Chicoutimi (QMJHL)
- Had a 25 goal season split between Lethbridge (12) and Regina (13) in 2014-15
Tyson Baillie, C
- 43 goals and 95 points last season with the Kelowna Rockets
- Played 5 seasons with the Kelowna Rockets from 2011-2016
- Played with Leon Draisaitl for Kelowna during the 2014-15 season
from Elite Prospects, “Baillie plays a strong all-round game. He has good balance and speed and quick hands that allow him to handle the puck well in one-on-one situations. He sees the ice well, makes skilled passes and creates chances.”
Luke Philp, C
- Career high of 82 points (in 71 games) with the Kootney Ice in 2014-15
- Back to back 30 goal seasons for Kootney (2013-14 & 2014-15)
- Played 5 WHL seasons
- Named captain of the Rebels after only a short time with the team
Cole Linaker, C
- Training camp invite by the Edmonton Oilers in 2015; played against the Bears with Connor McDavid in the 2015 Bears vs Oilers’ rookies game
- Played parts of 5 seasons with the Kelowna Rockets (2011-2016)
- Career highs of 18 goals and 50 points in 2015-16
Todd Fiddler, LW
- 23 years old and has been playing professionally in the ECHL since 2013
- 14 goals and 28 points in 58 games between Quad City and Ontario in the East ECHL in 2013-14
- 48 goals and 88 points in 52 games for the Prince George Cougars (WHL) in 2013-14
- 42 goals and 77 points in 70 games for the Spokane Chiefs (WHL) in 2012-13
The Defensmen
Jason Fram, D
- Invited to San Jose’s 2016-17 training camp and may not end up with the Golden Bears
- Career highs of 12 goals and 46 points in 55 games in 2015-16 for the Spokane Chiefs
- Played 5 seasons with the Spokane Chiefs (2011-2016)
Ryan Rehill, D
- 6.03 and 218lbs
- Played 4 seasons for the Kamloops Blazers (2012-2016)
- Played a single game for Albany Devils of the American Hockey League in 2016
- Most penalized player in the Western Hockey League in 2013-14
Ben Carroll, D
- Played parts of 4 seasons for the Edmonton Oil Kings (2012-16)
- Career highs of 9 goals and 32 points in 54 games for the 2014-15 season
- WHL and Memorial Cup Champion 2013-14
The Goaltenders
Brendan Burke, G
- Son of former NHL goaltender Sean Burke
- Drafted by the Phoenix Coyotes in the 6th round (#163) of the 2013 NHL Entry Draft
- Won a Memorial Cup in 2015-16 with the London Knights (as the backup)
- Played in parts of 5 WHL seasons with Portland and Calgary (2011-16). Went from Calgary to London (OHL) to finish the 2015-16 season
- Won a WHL Championship with Portland in 2012-13
Kenny Cameron, G
- Played for U of A coach Serge Lajoie at NAIT during the 2014-15 season
- Undefeated at NAIT (21-0) for the 2015-16 season
- AJHL champion with Spruce Grove in 2013-14
- ACAC champion in 2014-15 and 2015-16
- Played 14 games with Medicine Hat (WHL) in 2011-12
Parting note
Graduated Bear and fan favourite, Levko Koper, has signed a professional contract with the Charlotte Checkers of the American Hockey League. He joins another former Bear, Derek Ryan, in the Carolina Hurricanes organization.
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
