Time to stand up

GBHA E-News | N.39

The first two weeks of January are super busy for everyone – and we’re no exception.

Below you’ll find a GBHA E-Newsletter that this absolutely filled with great stuff. The highlight of this lengthy piece will be saved for the end, where you’ll see Dale Henwood’s final instalment in a three-part series on the NCAA recruiting challenge to U SPORTS hockey.

Dale’s excellent research, synthesis and conclusions really give us food for thought on how we can help the Golden Bears hockey program in this brave new world. Do not miss reading this – it’s a must. It shows a clear path on how U SPORTS – and our GBHA organization as the leading U SPORTS hockey Alumni group across Canada – needs to “stand up” and highlight  our value proposition and execute on many of the ideas and initiatives you’ll see below.

Before you get to Dale’s work, we’ve got lots on the go for you:

• Update on the Bears’ playoff push

• Details on the Bears’1985-86 National Championship team 40th anniversary reunion

• Why the 50-50 sales crew deserves your support!

• Highlights from the recent GBHA Board of Directors and Advisory Council meeting

• Our regular shout-out to our Bear Necessities Fund supporters

Here we go!

• Bears qualify for playoffs: Last weekend the Bears qualified for the Canada West playoffs following a convincing 7-1 win on Saturday night against Regina. Bears’ forward Noah Boyko, who is the team player rep on our GBHA Board, scored two beautiful goals, including the game winner, and was second star of the game!

Below are current Canada West standings showing the Bears in a tight fight for home-ice advantage in the first round of the playoffs. The top team in each division gets a bye into the semi-finals. If the Bears finish second in the West Division they will have home advantage in the quarter finals and will host the third-place team from the East Division. If they finish third in the West Division, they will visit the second-place finisher in the East. Each of the Canada West series are best-of-three, with home team getting all three games.

The Bears have eight games left in their regular season schedule. The last four games will be key: they host #1 nationally ranked UBC on February 6th and 7th and then split a home-and-away series against MacEwan on the last weekend of the schedule on February 13th and 14th. Playoffs start the weekend of February 20-22.

• Party like it’s 1985-86! That’s what the members of our National Championship 1985-1986 team have in mind! You can see the list of players from that team below. They’ll be getting together over the weekend of February 6-7 to celebrate their win of 40 years ago. Team Trainer/Manager Marty Schmidt tells us the team has a Friday morning, February 6th breakfast at Barb and Ernie’s on 99th Street – a regular occurrence they’ve been hosting for about 35 years. Anyone who’d like to join them on the first Friday of every month is welcome to do so. See pic below – should be a great turnout for the Feb 6th breakfast.

  
  

  The team is getting together for a scrimmage on Friday afternoon and will be at the Bears game Friday night. Saturday they’ve got a pre-Bears game dinner at the Faculty Club and then will be honoured at a pre-game ceremony at the Saturday night Bears game.

  
  

  Congrats to everyone on the team! Looking forward to getting some pics for the next E-News!

  
  

  (Note** Marty let us know that he was also the “Star 3rd String Goaltender” for the ’85-’86 Bears. The picture on the far right is Marty in action in an exhibition game the Bears played in St. Moritz, Switzerland on Boxing Day 1985. “Final score was 7-4 for the Bears” Marty told us on Saturday night at the Bears game.  “I went in for the third period. The third period was scoreless. I stopped all 11 shots, including a span when we were short two players. It was a goaltending display for the ages. They could have shot 100 marbles at me that night and they still would not have scored.” 😊 No doubt that Marty’s performance in that game was a big lift that helped the team’s national championship win back home three months later….)

  
  

        1986-86 National Champions                                            

Bears Breakfast Club        

Marty in St. Moritz 1985     

• The Bears’ 50-50 Sales Reps Need Your Support! This picture below was taken in the Alumni Section H with Abby and Emily, two of the wonderful Bears’ 50-50 game-day ticket sales crew, seated between Marty Schmidt and Billy Moores.

The two women are part of the group of Bears’ wives and girlfriends who do such a wonderful job of selling 50-50 tickets at the home games. You should know that proceeds from the 50-50 go straight to the Bears operating budget. Over the past six years the net return to the team from these draws averages about $10,000 per year. It’s a significant amount in a tight budget, it’s not a huge ask of each of us, and the upside is a chance to win about $2,500 or more depending on the crowds at the game.

So if you’re at any of the upcoming Bears home games, be sure to thank any of the young women in the Bears’ 50-50 sweaters selling the tickets for their support, and step up to buy a ticket.

You can also help online – so even if you are out of town or can’t make the games, why not support a good cause? Do it today – right now. Timing has never been better than now since payouts are higher for the most popular games. And the last three home games of the regular season against UBC and MacEwan should all be sell-outs.

Check out this portal and get your online 50-50 tickets here:  

https://www.rafflebox.ca/raffle/gbht-jan-26?cid=41c45622-f7ab-4894-93df-6a53fdb678f9 .

• Summary of Key Points - GBHA Board of Directors & Advisory Council Meeting,  January 12^th

On January 12^th your GBHA Board of Directors (nine members in first two rows below) and Advisory Council (5 members in the bottom row) met on the first of four regularly scheduled meetings in 2026.

As we stated before Christmas, our goal is to provide you with timely, informative and important information on a number of issues that we feel are important not only for the Bears hockey program, but for the GBHA organization as a whole.

Here’s a quick summary of what we covered  at this January 12th meeting:

1. GBHA Financials: Adam Gilewicz updated us on his work towards having a clear financial picture we can present to you on a quarterly basis. We expect we’ll have that in place in time for our next Board meeting on March 2nd and will report to you after.

Bottom line is this: it’s our understanding that around $300,000 needs to be raised on an annual basis to bridge the gap between the University funding and the cost of operating the Golden Bears hockey team. That gap is filled by efforts from the Bears themselves – largely through the efforts of GM Stan Marple, Coach Ian Herbers and Assistant Coach Luke Tollenar  – and by you and all of us in various ways through the GBHA. Stan will be providing us with a broad category description of what that extra $300K is used for. This will be extremely helpful for us to see where your efforts are going, and why it’s so important to the team. Kudos and thanks to Adam and Stan for their work on this. Stay tuned for delivery of this after March 2nd.

2. Silent Ice: we formed a “Silent Ice Committee” headed up by Brian Middleton to explore ways we can support the team in the move there next year. Brian has articulated a plan that should help in everything from ticket sales to advertising to Partners’ Circle sponsorships. Media Relations Director Delaney Miles and volunteer outreach coordinator Léa Peterson are supporting Brian on this. We’re waiting to hear from the U of A Athletics Department on what we’re able to do at Silent Ice, especially in areas of advertising. We’ve requested as well a dedicated GBHA Alumni box suite, to be used at our discretion for members and sponsors for next season. Stay tuned here for another update after March 2nd. And if you have friends, business colleagues or groups in the Leduc, Nisku, Beaumont and Wetaskiwin areas, let them know that the best hockey they’ve seen in those areas is coming soon. Even better, want to help this committee? Let us know.

3. Mentorship Committee: GBHA vice-president Dion Zukiwsky has stepped up and formed a group that is tasked with setting up a robust and impactful GBHA mentorship program. This is probably one of the most positive and impactful things for the entire program that we can accomplish this year. This will support current Bears players, as they seek career guidance, job interviews or counselling on what direction to take post-hockey careers. It will also help GBHA members make important connections that will help guide their professional careers at all stages. And, a successful and visible mentorship program is a strong asset for the Bears in their recruiting efforts. Joining Dion on this committee are Dale Henwood, Noah Boyko, Riley Kieser and Justin Wallin. Huge thanks to these, and stay tuned here as well post March 2nd for an update. Even better, want to help this committee? Let us know.

4. “Once a Bear, Always a Bear”: After receiving more than three dozen suggestions for a GBHA tag line that embodies what we stand for, the final vote chose “Once a Bear, Always a Bear’ – a suggestion that came from none other than Dennis “Papa Zuk” Zukiwsky. Huge thanks to Papa Zuk – and from now on the logo and tag line below will adorn everything we do.

5. Additional items:

a. Michael Stuart will shortly have completed a draft revision of the GBHA by-laws, which date back to 1985. This is a badly needed update and Mike’s the perfect person to get this done for us. Once adopted, we’ll post them on our website for all to view.

b. Website update – Delaney Miles and  will have our new website updated and posted in the next few weeks. This will maintain some of the key elements of the current website and add other features to make it more attractive.

c. Calendar of events – our goal for the 2026-27 season is to have a pre-planned calendar of events posted for you, with everything from Sweater Presentation, Alumni Weekend, Golf Tournaments, team reunions and other key events easy to see and plan ahead for.

Next Board Meeting: Monday March 2nd. If there’s anything you think we need to discuss, please let us know.

• Got a teammate who should be onthe Wall of Fame? Nominations for the 2026 Sports Wall of Fame close Feb. 27^th. It would be great to see another GBHA member honored again this upcoming year. Anyone you can think of, please check out these links below for criteria and how to send in a nomination.

  
  

Selection Criteria: https://bearsandpandas.ca/sports/2024/1/15/swof-nomination-criteria.aspx

Nomination Form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd4VbJtLT9YRHrgLh4E4zkZnyhgRPvCcwCO-zgR7nk8XG5Y8w/viewform

• Time to stand up

GBHA Advisory Council member Dale Henwood has penned two highly interesting, topical and in-depth articles on how the NCAA transfer rule changes this year are affecting U SPORTS hockey. He’s now added a third round to this series. The bottom line of all three parts of this essay is clear: we all need to “stand up” and highlight the attributes of the U SPORTS hockey program and truly make the Golden Bears Alumni group a key part of its success.

We’re hugely grateful to Dale for his research and interest in looking into this issue. It’s likely the most important challenge that the Bears hockey program faces today.

You’ll see below links to those two pieces and brief summaries that Dale’s put together if you don’t have time to read the longer versions.

He then offers a compelling and final Round Three in the series with some thoughts borrowed from a player placement agency, as well as conversations with CHL, NHL and NCAA personnel, that highlight the very many strengths of the U SPORTS offering in the face of the clear recruiting challenge the Bears and another U SPORTS hockey programs face.

This is your required reading assignment today. If you care about the future of the Golden Bear Hockey program, you’ll see we need to heed Dale’s advice. His thoughts regarding the role of Alumni Associations is a full-throated call to action. You should know that your GBHA Board of Directors is going flat-out to take this advice and run with it.

Round 1: Name, Image and Likeness Rights and the Transfer Portal

The article examines how Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) rights and the NCAA Transfer Portal have fundamentally reshaped U.S. college athletics, with particular emphasis on Division I ice hockey and spillover effects on Canadian systems such as U SPORTS and the CHL.

Long driven by money and institutional inequality, college sports entered a new era on July 1, 2021, when the NCAA permitted athletes to monetize their NIL following years of legal challenges, state legislation, and shifting public opinion. Key milestones—including the O’Bannon case, NCAA v. Alston, and the 2025 House v. NCAA settlement—dismantled the NCAA’s long-standing “no pay” amateurism model and introduced direct revenue sharing with athletes.

NIL has become a central factor in recruiting and retention, favoring well-resourced programs with strong brands, alumni bases, and NIL collectives. While headline hockey NIL deals (e.g., Gavin McKenna at Penn State) have reached six figures, most hockey athletes receive modest compensation, often under $10,000 annually, through endorsements, appearances, or digital content. Nonetheless, NIL represents meaningful supplemental income and a competitive differentiator.

The NCAA Transfer Portal has further accelerated change, creating a free-agency-like marketplace marked by increased roster volatility, competitive stratification, and tension between player development and retention. Programs now prioritize experienced transfers, compress recruiting cycles, and face greater administrative complexity. These dynamics reduce entry-level roster opportunities and disproportionately disadvantage mid-major and development-focused programs.

Collectively, NIL, revenue sharing, and the portal are expanding the NCAA’s talent pool and financial gravity, drawing players away from U SPORTS and CHL pathways. For Canadian programs, the response must center on culture, education, stability, and development rather than financial competition. Overall, the article argues that NIL and the transfer portal represent seismic, irreversible shifts that demand strategic adaptation across the college hockey ecosystem.

Round 2: The rapidly evolving NCAA, CHL and U SPORTS hockey landscape.

This article illustrates a dramatic demographic shift within NCAA hockey rosters: Canadian players now form a majority, while American and European representation has declined. Nearly 200 CHL players are scheduled to move to NCAA Division I programs for 2026–27, with more committed beyond that, establishing early departure from the CHL as a new norm. This trend has significant downstream effects on U SPORTS, which historically absorbed CHL graduates and now faces a shrinking talent pool.

Economically, NCAA athletes benefit from both NIL opportunities and Alston education-related awards, which together are increasingly used as recruitment and retention tools. Over time, however, reallocating revenues to athletes may squeeze broader university budgets, prompting greater reliance on hockey-specific endowments and alumni-driven funding models. NIL collectives have emerged as central actors, effectively replacing traditional booster systems while operating within a blurred NCAA regulatory environment.

For Canadian university programs, survival and competitiveness now depend on adaptation and cooperation rather than resistance. The article emphasizes the expanding strategic role of alumni associations in mentorship, career networking, advocacy, culture-building, and endowment development. It further outlines the need for innovative recruiting strategies centered on development pathways, academic and career outcomes, data-driven scouting, digital engagement, transfer targeting, and “life after hockey” differentiation.

Looking ahead, the article predicts several years of instability as financial models, transfer behavior, and legal frameworks evolve. While elite NCAA programs will continue to attract top talent, Canadian universities with strong academics and modern recruiting approaches can remain competitive by emphasizing development, retention, culture, and holistic athlete development.

Round 3: The Push and Pull and U SPORTS Advantages 

It is increasingly difficult to navigate the complex hockey industry as a young player or parent. For many, U SPORTS is the best options for their career as U SPORTS is the pathway that delivers.

Recently, Advancement Hockey Advisor Services  featured a series of posts with messages about the value of the U SPORTS option. Key recruiting messages to prospective players could include the following:

Value of U SPORTS

• U SPORTS players are typically older and stronger (20 to 25 years old)

• Many CHL or high-end Junior A/Tier 2 backgrounds making it elite competition

• The speed, structure and physicality often match or exceed NCAA Division 1  and is elite hockey and wildly unappreciated!

The Untold Story

• The focus is on development – as a player and a person

• U SPORTS hockey is one of the most underrated pathways in North America

• Fast, physical and experienced hockey with older players, higher IQ and pro habits

• You can still go pro afterwards

• You earn a real degree while playing elite university hockey

• For Canadians it's far more affordable than NCAA alternatives

The New Landscape

• There has been a massive shift in the hockey landscape as the NCAA has been gifted a pool of talent that previously was not available.

• As many players move South, this creates more openings for players from across Canada

• Programs want mature, smart, coachable players who can step in right away

U SPORTS is the Top Tier

• U SPORTS is a major pathway; it's high-level university hockey

• The competition is fierce and development-focused

• It's affordable, respected and built for long term success

• You should be proud to play U SPORTS, not everyone gets the chance

• Don't overlook options just because they aren't the traditional path

The Academic Edge

• Canadian tuition is far cheaper than US private D1 schools; International tuition conversions make NCAA Division 1 extremely costly for Canadians

• U SPORTS schools offer scholarships, including partial and full rides

• You earn a respected Canadian degree with strong career pathways

• You graduate with less debt, more options and still elite hockey

• Bear Necessities Fund: As you can see in this E-newsletter, we’ve got a lot on the go. And so much of it is possible because of the generosity and support of the following GBHA members who have made donations to our Bear Necessities Fund. We’re not taking any new donations now, but likely will be in the next several weeks. We’ll let you know.

A  big “Bear Hug” of thanks to the following donors to the second round of the  BNF:

Adam Morrison, Bill Moores, Bob Steadward, Brent Cox, Bret Walter, Brian Middleton, Bruce Crawford, Bruce Millar, Bruce Rolin, Bryan Targett, Bryon Baltimore, Cam Danyluk, Clark Jantzie, Craig Hordal, Craig Styles, Dale Henwood, Dan Bouwmeester, Dan Zarowny, Darwin Bozek, Dave Carlyle, Dave Couves, David Breakwell, Dennis Zukiwsky, Dick Wintermute, Don Darling, Dwayne Bolkowy, Graeme Craig, Jean-Pierre Szaszkiewicz, Jim Ofrim, Jim Wishloff, John Krill, Kelly Brooks, Luke Tollenaar, Marty Schmidt, Mike Ballash, Mitch Topping, Murray Tait, Peter Esdale, Randy Gregg, Rick Peterson, Roger Kramers, Ron Heck, Scott McDonald, Shelby Karpman, Stacey Wakabayashi, Stan Marple, Stephen Lockwood, Steve Knowles, Steve Shrum and Wayne Page.

Thanks for your continued interest and support.

Rick Peterson

President

Golden Bears Hockey Alumni