CALGARY – A new era starts Friday for the University of Calgary Dinos men's hockey program.

No, not in the traditional sense of the expression. Head coach Mark Howell begins his 17th season patrolling the bench on Friday's home opener against Regina.

But, thanks to one of the largest graduating classes in Howell's tenure coupled with significant rule changes across the hockey landscape, and there are an incredible 16 new players on this year's roster for Calgary.

"It was a bigger graduating class, and then we had three guys transfer to the NCAA and a couple guys stop playing because of injuries. We knew we were going to have a big class to recruit, but we didn't know it was going to be 16. 

"The landscape changed dramatically as far as where we get players. We managed to get a couple guys out of the Western League, one out of pro, but for the most part they're Junior-A guys. For the most part, they've been very energetic, very coachable, wanting to learn and get better. It didn't matter where they come from, when you have that many new guys, it's going to be a tough process and a long learning curve, but we're getting there."

If preseason action is any indication, the Dinos are once again in good hands.

Calgary played six games against three of the top four finishers from a season ago and went an impressive 4-1-1, splitting with Saskatchewan and UBC to go with a sweep of Mount Royal.

Who are some of the new faces doing well in the early going for the Scarlet & Gold? 

Wyatt Wilson and Hayden Pakkala come to Calgary after long stints in the WHL, with Wilson playing last year in the ECHL in Orlando, Fla. 

"Hayden played five years in the Western League and decided to take advantage of the scholarship program," Howell said. "His big push was utilizing our alumni and the city to his advantage. We have one of the most affluent energy sectors in the world. Because of everything this city offers, he figured this was the best fit for him."

A number of others include local products Stephen Kirkpatrick (Edmonton) and Gavin Schmidt (De Winton, Alta.), with Schmidt winning back-to-back AJHL titles, as well as a Centennial Cup with the Calgary Canucks. 

"Some of these guys I didn't know as well as the Western guys, but I'm learning. We've got some guys that know how to win that are making early impacts."

While there will naturally be plenty of attention on the new faces, Howell is also excited about the growth some the returning players have shown.

"That's been interesting too, because we didn't just lose good players (from last year's team), we lost all of our leaders for the most part," Howell said. "Some of guys that are now leaders like Adam Kydd and Sean Strange and Connor Horning, Dylan Anderson…it's not like they were quiet before, but they understood the other guys had a big voice and a big presence. They led by example and just kind of did their thing. Now, they're expected to have a bigger voice. 

"Right from spring on, those guys have been awesome. They've been helping with recruits, setting things up, team-building exercises, the golf outing with the alumni...anything I've needed through the spring and summer, they've been really good. 

"Now you see them with our team – they've been great role models and really good mentors so far. And talking with the young guys, the dressing room seems really strong and positive and really energized, which is a complement to our returning guys to make sure that happens. There have been a lot of returning guys who you maybe didn't know how they would handle that, and they've stepped up and been really good with it."

While the Dinos' four lines are completely revamped coming into the 2025-26 season, one spot that is rock solid is between the posts.

Calgary returns a pair of veteran goaltenders in Carl Tetachuk and Carl Stankowski, while adding rookie Jari Kykkanen to the fold.

Tetachuk was the Canada West Goaltender of the Year as a rookie back in 2023 and has been the primary goalie since. In his three years on campus, the Lethbridge, Alta., product has gone 45-20 overall with seven shutouts and a .910 save percentage.

Meanwhile, Stankowski earned a spot on the conference's all-rookie squad back in 2022 and has been incredible when called upon – going 19-5 in net over the past three seasons with an impressive 1.93 goals against average over that span despite battling injuries.

"We're really lucky that we've got two standout veteran guys (in Tetachuk and Stankowski). You look at the depth of the position, (we're) probably the best in Canada West, I would think," Howell said. "And then you add Jari Kykkanen who played four years in the Western Hockey League and one in Junior. He's been really good in exhibition as well. 

"That will probably be the strength of our team is our goalies and our defence. We've got lots of young forwards, so it'll take a little time there. But our goalies will keep us in games for sure. If we can tighten a few things up defensively and help them out, then we can really be rock solid with a defensive core and great goaltending and give our forwards time to get their feet wet and play at this level."

Two other noteworthy additions to the Dinos roster this season come to this year's coaching staff, as UCalgary alums Dallas Hines and Brett Bartman return to their alma mater for the upcoming season.

"When we were going through the process, we were looking at maybe older, pro-style defencemen that we've always had here," Howell said. "Then I just looked at it a little differently that we now have some former players that have coached a little it or maybe want to give back, so I approached a couple of them and they said yes. 

"Brett Bartman was our captain his last year here as a defenceman, and then Dallas Hines played one year for us and then sadly got caught in the Covid crisis and decided to get into coaching. 

"Dallas wants to be a career coach. He's really dedicated to the craft. Brett is a firefighter here in town. He thoroughly enjoyed his time here and wants to give back. Both have been just a real pleasure to have around and are good for our players. They're both very good teachers. They're fun to be around and they're eager to help, which is important."

The new-look Dinos hit the ice for their first conference game Friday with the season opener at home against Regina. Puck drop is scheduled for  7 p.m. from Father David Bauer Arena.

-UC-