Huskie Iron Men Made Their Mark

by Micheal P.J. Kennedy, Ph.D

When University of Saskatchewan Men’s Hockey Team began play in 1910, teams played with seven players per side, and that 1910-11 squad planned to perform only in the Saskatoon City League. In 1911, the Green and White pucksters played their first inter-university game against what was to become its greatest rival, University of Alberta. In subsequent years, initial games played grew into what were irregular scheduled contests ranging from one to eight games per season against university squads (University of Manitoba joined in 1919-20) as well as matches within the Saskatoon City League against teams like the Bankers, Liberals, Conservatives, Normal School (i.e. teachers college), Quakers, Pilgrims, and C.N.R. During the War years, Varsity quality players performed within the intra-collegiate structure on college teams or as a separate Varsity contingent with games within the University of Saskatchewan vs. college squads from Agros, Pharmacy, Emmanuel, and Arts and Science. As Varsity during the first half of the twentieth century, the Green and White played within the city but also made the odd foray to Rosetown or Prince Albert for senior league competition. As can be seen, individual players who performed an entire season’s games would only compete in fewer than a dozen or so contests.

By 1957-58 season, a twelve game inter-university schedule was established in what was then called the Western Canadian Intercollegiate Athletic Union. By 1970-71, as the Western Canadian Interuniversity Athletic Association, the season was comprised of teams from University of Saskatchewan, University of Alberta, University of Manitoba, University of British Columbia, and University of Victoria, which extended the regular campaign to 20 games. Two years later, 24 games were played, with the current Canada West Universities Athletic Association 28 game schedule initiated in 1985-86.

Among the players in the latter years of the twentieth century and early twenty-first century when five-year eligibility was the norm, there were several true “Iron Men” in terms of games played for Huskies. Despite illness, injury, and academic commitments, from among the hundreds of players who have suited up for the Dogs, there have been only three

outstanding student-athletes whose Canada West hockey careers have seen them play the full 140 regular season games over their five-year eligibility period. Despite this excellent accomplishment, their “Iron Men” status should not take away from their major contributions on the ice over their careers.

The exceptional “Iron Men” were Neil Pogany (1988-89 to 1992-93), Andrew Bailey (2009-10 to 2013-14), and Levi Cable (2015-16 to 2019-20) who performed in all 140 games over their five season careers.

By no means an easy opponent on the ice, the Shaunavon-born Neil Pogamy ranks fifth in Huskie Lifetime penalty minutes with 338 in his five year Canada West stint, proving his mettle as an every day contributor to the Dogs. He counted 39 goals and 57 assists, for 96 points during his playing days at University of Saskatchewan. His best years were 1990-91 when he accumulated 25 points and 1991-92 when his 13 goals and 13 assists netted him 26 points in the 28 game schedule.

A Canada West All-Star in 2010-11, Andrew Bailey notched 50 goals including 14 power play markers, and 63 assists for 113 points with an outstanding plus/minus of +50 over five campaigns including the Canada West championship season in 2011-12. Today Bailey shares his work ethic, skill, and knowledge as development coach with the Huskie women’s hockey team.

Levi Cable was a member of the 2016 Canada West All-Rookie team and honoured with a U Sports Sportsmanship and Athletic Ability Award in 2020. His Huskie ledger shows 51 goals including 10 game winners and 64 assists for 115 points and a + 50 plus/minus. The Hudson Bay native was honoured in 2019-20 with Canada West’s UBC Alumni Trophy for Ability and Sportsmanship as well as the U Sports B.W. Pugh Fair Play Award in the same year as the country’s most sportsmanlike player.

Tied for fourth place in lifetime games played with 139, are Kendall McFaull (2013-14 to 2017-18), John Lawrence (2013-14 to 2017-18), and Logan McVeigh (2015-16 to 2019-20).

Steller defenceman McFaull with 13 goals, 26 assists, and 39 points as well as 167 penalty minutes was a rock on “D” for the U. of S. He was a key member on the blue line when

Huskies captured the Canada West championship in 2016 and placed second in the country at University Cup championships in 2017. After being recognized by Canada West in his initial season with a place on the league’s All-Rookie team in 2014, he got the nod for the All-Star squads in 2016, 2017, 2018. The Rosetown native was also named Huskie Athletics Rookie of the Year (2014) and All-Round Male Athlete of the Year in 2018. U Sports recognized his prowess on the ice and leadership in the community with its Student Athlete in the Community Award in 2018.

John Lawrence was a plus 32 lifetime as a forward on the Green and White while registering 28 goals, 37 assists, for 65 points with 260 PIM. The Manitoba-born Lawrence was a rangy presence on the ice and his work with the Dogs resulted in him playing a key part in the 2015-16 Canada West championship team as well as the 2016-17 crew that went to U Sports national championships and finished with the silver medal.

Logan McVeigh was a mainstay in each of his five years with the Green and White, potting 44 goals, 74 assists for 118 lifetime Canada West points with a plus/minus of +46. His totals include 11 game winning markers as he contributed to both the 2016 and 2020 Canada West championships as well as to the silver medal won by the Huskies at U Sports University Cup nationals in 2017. It should be noted that the 2018-19 Huskie Men’s Hockey team posted the all-time best regular season number of wins in team history with 23. “Ironmen” Levi Cable and Logan McVeigh were integral parts of that most successful season.

Considering the physical and mental toll, as well as the academic demands of being a student-athlete, the accomplishment of playing in every (or 139 out of 140 games ) regular season Canada West hockey game over five years is truly remarkable. Yet for these six former Huskies, their accomplishments go far beyond tenacity, as each of them has made notable contributions to the winning tradition of Huskie Men’s Hockey. Their individual statistical totals may vary and the teams for which they played may have had various levels of success, but each of them has truly Made their Mark as “Ironmen” which will forever be part of Huskie Hockey tradition.