LETHBRIDGE – With one of the most intriguing seasons in Pronghorn men's hockey set to begin this weekend, a new chapter in Pronghorn hockey will also start to be written this Friday night when the Pronghorns host the UBC Thunderbirds.
 
The Pronghorns and Thunderbirds will hit the ice at Nicholas Sheran Arena Friday night at 7:00 PM and Saturday afternoon at 1:00 PM. Both games will be streamed live on www.canadawest.tv.
 
2018-19 Canada West TV regular season packaging and pricing
 
ALL-ACCESS pass - $89.99
 
Regular season SCHOOL pass - $44.99
What you get: Every regular season event featuring your favourite school – live and on demand.
  
Did we mention that 80% of CW revenues from school pass sales go directly to the school you selected? Show support for your alma mater and buy a school pass this season!
 
Regular season SPORT pass - $35.99
  
Single event pass - Regular price: $6.99
 
Following the late departure of head coach Spiros Anastas, the Pronghorn men's hockey program gets a refresh this season, the first under long-time Canadian University coach Murray Nystrom. Nystrom spent 18 years at the helm of the Brock Badgers.
 
"We have a very exciting season ahead of us," said new bench boss Murray Nystrom. "We plan to honour our former captain, Brock Hirsche, host a couple games at the Enmax Centre, focus on playoff participation and, obviously, host a successful University Cup tournament."
 
The University of Lethbridge and the City of Lethbridge will host the 2019 University Cup March 14^th to 17^th at the Enmax Centre.

"Canada West is a tough conference with no easy games or opponents.  We plan to get better with every week we play."
 
Graduated from last year' team are captain and leading scorer Mitch Maxwell, assistant captain Brandon Clowes and Ryon Moser, but 18 players return from last year's team that narrowly missed the post-season for the third straight season.
 
Justin Valentino enters his final season and is expected to lead the Pronghorns offensively along with Brooks Maxwell and Russ Maxwell.
 
On the blue line, the Pronghorns return all but one of their 2017-18 defensive core and big things are anticipated from the group. Dallas Valentine and Jeff Rayman had strong freshman seasons last year and along with veterans Evan Wardley, Blake Orban and Clint Filbrandt, the defensive core should be a strength.
 
Garret Hughson, returns for his third season in the Pronghorns crease and is expected to carry the load again this season. A year ago he made 23 appearances and held a 3.45 goals-against average and 0.906 save percentage.
 
Joining Hughson in the crease will be second-year keeper Jonny Hogue and former WHL goaltender Taz Burman.
 
Last year, the Thunderbirds swept the season series with one game needing double overtime.
 
 
Up Next:
 
In a scheduling anomaly, Canada West men's hockey has a bye next weekend but the Pronghorns will be traveling to Michigan to face Western Michigan and Ferris State in non-conference action. The following week the Pronghorns will be on the road, traveling to Regina to face the Cougars.