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Building on its first sixty years of tradition, Huskies in the 1970-1999 era achieved major success after initial years of frustration. The 1970-79 era featured a team coached by Lyn Bannister (1970-72), Dave Confrey (1972-73), and Dave Smith (1973-79). These were not productive years for Huskies as the team compiled a less than flattering 57-159-0 won-lost-tied ledger in WCIAA/Canada West Universities Athletic Association (CWUAA) competition. Only once in the decade did the team finish at .500 (10-10 in 1970-71). Nevertheless, there were several University of Saskatchewan players who were stars in the Canada West Universities Athletic Association (CWUAA) who added to the tradition of men’s hockey established in 1910 at University of Saskatchewan.
The All-Decade Team* featured Kevan Migneault (Twice Canada West All-Star), Dave Dunn (NHL, Canada West All-Star), Mike Volk, Stu Walker, Dell Chapman (Three Times Canada West All Star-in 1970s and 80s), Rick Jackson (Canada West All-Star), Greg Wiebe (Twice CIAU All-Canadian, Twice Canada West All-Star, Canada West Scoring Leader, Canada West Sportsmanship & Ability Award).
The 1980s became a turnaround decade for the fortunes of the team, highlighted by the arrival of former Huskie Dave King as head coach (1979-83). The winning tradition continued under the tutelage of Brent McEwen (1983-89). Between them the successful bench bosses compiled a gaudy record of 165-94-2. Under King the team captured three Canada West championships and the team’s only University Cup in history. McEwen mentored his charges to a Canada West championship. King, of course went on to a successful NHL and international coaching career. Among his charges Robin Bartel, and Ross McKay as players, and Mike Babcock and Willie Desjardins as coaches, made it to the NHL.
The 1980s All-Decade Team* included goaltender Ross McKay (NHL, CIAU All-Canadian, Three-time Canada West All-Star), Robin Bartel (Canadian Olympic Team, NHL, Canada West All-Star, Canada West Rookie of the Year), Ken Lovsin (Canadian Olympic Team, NHL, Canada West All-Star), Rob McKechney (Twice Canada West All-Star, Canada West Sportsmanship & Ability) and , Willie Desjardins (CIAU All-Canadian, University Cup MVP, Canada West MVP, Canada West Sportsmanship & Ability, Rookie of the Year, Canada West All-Star four times), Dennis Fenske (CIAU All-Canadian, Canada West MVP, Rookie of the Year, Twice Canada West All-Star), Ken Morrison (Twice CIAU All-Canadian, Twice Canada West All-Star, First in Canada West career goals, Canada West points and goal leader).
Brent McEwen completed his seventh year behind the bench in 1989-90 with Bill Seymour taking over the reins on an interim basis for 1990-91 before McEwen came back for two more seasons (1991-93). In 1993-94 for the rest of the decade, another former Huskie took over the controls for a period that featured a respectable 129-126-23 record for the ten years of the ‘90s. Canada West championships in 1998 and in 1999 demonstrated the winning ways of all-time CIS games coached bench boss Dave Adolph who saw his first three sub-500 seasons morph into what would become a never finish below second place in the conference for the balance of the decade. The last two years, Adolph’s charges captured the Canada West Championship.
The 1990s All-Decade Team* consisted of Jeff Calvert (CIS All-Canadian, Canada West All-Star, Canada West Best Goals Against Average), Jason Becker (CIS Rookie Team, CIS Rookie of the Year, Canada West Rookie of the Year, Three time Canada West All-Star), Jeff Helperl (CIS All-Canadian, Canada West Outstanding Defenceman, Three time Canada West All-Star), Wayde Bucsis CIS All-Canadian, Twice Canada West All-Star, Canada West Scoring Leader), Sheldon Moser(CIS All-Canadian, Twice Canada West All-Star, Twice Canada West Sportsmanship and Ability), Brian Purdy (CIS All-Canadian, CIS Sportsmanship & Ability, Canada West Sportsmanship & Ability, Four time Canada West All-Star) .
The period 1970-1999 saw the Dogs develop into a team which was perennially “in the mix” for Canada West championships and highly competitive at University Cup Tournaments including capturing the 1983 national championship.
* Huskies All-Decade teams were announced at University Cup Tournament hosted by University of Saskatchewan in 2013.
Note: All-Star status noted may be first or second team selections.
Research and statistical data courtesy Nicole Betker, Patrick Hayes, Steve Knowles, Bill Seymour, Heather Bury, and P.J. Kennedy. Historical excerpts from Dogs on Ice: A History of Hockey at University of Saskatchewan by Michael P. J. Kennedy, Ph.D.
Article by Michael P. J. Kennedy, Ph.D.