The SFU Men’s Hockey team hits the ice for their first pre-season game of the year tonight against the UBC Thunderbirds at Thunderbird Arena.

“It’s always great to play UBC, they’re a quality team,” said SFU Head Coach, Mark Coletta. “it gives us a measuring stick for where we need to get to.”

The SFU-UBC match-up is an annual event, which both teams look forward to prior to kicking off their respective BCIHL and CIS seasons. “It’s a big challenge for our guys,” said Coletta. “They look up to the challenge.”

After a disappointing first round exit to TWU last season, the Clan had a busy offseason adding 10 new recruits:

Matthew Berry-Lamontagna (D) – Cowichan Valley Capitals (BCHL)
Jordan Liem (G) – Nipawin Hawks (SJHL)
Adam Rossi (F) – Buffalo State College (NCAA)
Adam Callegari (F) – Aldergrove Kodiaks (PIJHL)
Saylor Preston (F) – SUNY-Canton (NCAA)
Vance Bridgman (F) – SUNY-Canton (NCAA)
Tyler Basham (F) – Johnstown Tomahawks (NAHL)
Dominic Stadnyk (G) – Grand Forks Border Bruins (KIJHL)
Matthew Luongo (F) – Aldergrove Kodiaks (PIJHL)
Robby Jang (D) – Winkler Flyers (MJHL)

This pre-season bout will give Coletta his first real look at his new players in a game environment. “It gives you a clear picture of what we have and really shows what you need to work at,” he said Tuesday morning.

The rookie class joins an experienced squad led by Tyler Mah, Andrew Parent, Trent Murdoch, and Jono Ceci, who sits 3 points shy of the all-time BCIHL scoring record.

This is SFU’s first exhibition game following a week-long training camp at the end of August, which left Coletta satisfied with his new roster. “The boys seem to be meshing well together. It’s a breath of fresh air, everyone’s excited.”

The puck drops at 7:15 at Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Arena and score updates will be live-tweeted from @sfuhockey