With the end of the regular season approaching, University of Regina men's hockey head coach Trevor Keeper has taken some time to reflect on his first season as head coach.

"Our goal this season was to develop character, commitment, and the culture needed to become a program that is competing for a championship once again," said Keeper.

Although the team's record was not where they hoped it would be, he is still happy with the direction the program is heading.

"We are a much better team than when we began in the fall," said Keeper. "Building blocks have been established and the guys made coming to the rink a daily enjoyment."

Keeper, who came to the Cougars after winning three straight ACAC championships with Red Deer Polytechnic, is no stranger to coaching at the collegiate level. With the Cougars, he is building a program that can compete in acquiring talented players and character people.

"Once you start securing the building blocks, then the student athletes you are looking for will start to come," said Keeper.

One of the ways he is able to do that is with donations through the Green & Gold Community, which provides financial support to varsity sport programs.

"Donations are absolutely critical to our success," said Keeper. "This initiative encourages donors to support our teams and ensures that student-athletes have the supports they need to behave like champions."

"If you expect excellence from the athletes, you have to provide them with a commitment to excellence in order for them to excel."

Those sorts of resources are necessary to compete in U SPORTS, a level of hockey which Keeper calls 'very underrated'.
"I can't tell you how many times new fans will come to games and comment on how fast and skilled university hockey is," said Keeper. "Not only do you get players who have already completed junior hockey careers, but you also coach athletes who are highly intelligent university students."

On the women's side, head coach Brandy West-McMaster echoed Keeper's comments.

"Many fans that come out to watch our games are impressed with the level of speed, creativity and competitiveness that they see," said West-McMaster. "Games are always close and every shift matters."

That intensity was on full display over the weekend, when the Cougars women's hockey team split their series with nationally ranked Mount Royal. West-McMaster says that the nature of the schedule allows for more intense matchups.

"Because we know our opponents so well, there are rivalries that bring out a little extra from both teams," said West-McMaster. "Many games get pushed into overtime or shootouts."

She also noted the positive impact the program has on the female hockey community in the city.

"We run a lot of camps, facilitate community initiatives, and welcome 'little sisters' into our dressing room on gameday," said West-McMaster. "The rink is always full of young female hockey players, and we are excited to give high fives and say hello on our way to the ice."

The Cougars sit outside of the playoff picture, but West-McMaster says they are "learning how to win again."

"We battle programs who expect to win," said West-McMaster. "We know we are capable, we know that we must make choices every day to be the best we can be, and we know it will take our best to win more consistently."

As a former U of R cougar women's hockey player, she understands how demanding it is being a student-athlete.

"Our players work very hard and balance an extremely demanding schedule of school, training, hockey, and travel," said West-McMaster. "As they go into classrooms, hospitals, care homes, and higher education, they will be excellent leaders in society."

The women's team's next home game is Friday, Jan. 30 at 7:00 PM when they will take on the University of Saskatchewan Huskies. The men's team will host the Huskies on Saturday, Jan. 31 at 7:00 PM.