Despite recent rule changes and another loaded recruitment year, the University of Alberta Golden Bears have kept to their ultimate goal—winning.
Sure, that is the goal of any program wishing to maintain its reputation as not just one of, but the best in Canada West from here on out. But that goal has become so important to the Bears that it is drawing former players back to the program.
Bears returnee, Dawson Davidson, played three complete seasons with the Bears between 2019-20 and 2022-23 and has returned following a season in Denmark and a year at the U of A law school. Recently, he shed some light on his decision to return to the Bears’ program as well as the team’s collective mindset, as another season rolls around and yet another offseason has been spent reflecting on where things went wrong, as all teams do.
That said, it was the Bears’ two most recent U Sports playoff trips that Davidson reflected on when explaining why he chose to return to the Bears after a two-year absence.
“So my first year, we got upset,” began Davidsson. “Second year was COVID, and then my last two years, we ended up getting silver at Nationals.
“So, a couple of heartbreaks in the finals there. Kind of looking to get redemption this year and have one last kick of the can.”
While ‘one last kick of the can’ was not the prevailing sell for most of the recruits, it’s not too far off from where the Bears would like to see themselves by the end of next season. That is, on top, with a team that traditionally expects nothing less.
What it’s really about is putting together a team that feels the same way, and it would appear that Bears’ General Manager, Stan Marple, has done just that despite the loss of players to Division 1 hockey this past offseason.
“I think we just lost a lot of guys to the NCAA last year,” continued Davidson. “So we have a lot of new faces this year. And I think one word that I would describe this group with this year is hungry.
“Kind of not having the success that I think this program is used to in the last couple of years. We’re looking as a group to get back on top this year and have a good run.”
Not that Davidson is under any illusions about what this new chapter with the Bears will bring—Canada West is still good hockey, and a U Sports rule change to match that of the NCAA has only made the league more competitive. Though his excitement about returning to the program is optimistic for the Bears’ future, if it is contagious.
So far, there is no reason to assume that it isn’t. This new crop of players, ranging from the ECHL, NCAA, and European teams, are committing to U Sports for all the reasons a coach could ask for. They want to play for the Bears, they want a quality education, and they want to bring back the success the program is used to.
“I think it’s just good to be around the guys and around that collegiate spirit again,” said Davidson. “And you know, I have a lot of love for this program. Like I said, I’ve had some good runs here, and then played the four years of undergrad.
“So, it’s awesome to be back, and it’s honestly a dream come true.”
It’s an opportunity Davidson earned in his first three years with the Bears—U Sports and Canada West all-rookie teams—that had the Bears so eagerly bring him back. But it’s also a challenge that Davidson is grateful to receive, going back to his desire to finish what he started.
“I think (it’s) just getting an opportunity to play for the Bears again,” stressed Davdison. “I was here for four years during my undergrad, and just being fortunate enough for (Ian Herbers, head coach), (Marple), and the whole staff for giving me the opportunity to come back and wear a Golden Bear sweater again.
“So, (I’m) excited to be a part of it this year, and yeah, excited to build something.”
