LinksVANCOUVER – For the second time in charge of the UBC Thunderbirds, Sven Butenschon has been respected with the Canada West Mentor of the Year grant.
Guiding the T-Birds to the top seed in the Canada West interestingly since 1963, Butenschon drove the group to new program keeps this season in wins (22) and points (46). The T-Birds likewise topped the Canada West with 126 objectives alongside boasting the meeting’s top strategic maneuver (23.6%) and punishment kill (89.1%).
Defeating the Alberta Golden Bears in last end of the week’s meeting semifinal, Butenschon and the Thunderbirds progressed to their third Canada West final in the last four seasons and are currently hosting the title series without precedent for program history.
Taking over the reigns in 2016, the previous NHLer has changed the Thunderbirds into an enduring competitor with two U Games public title appearances in the past three seasons and presently another in 2024, earning a billet with the new semifinal win. As of late coaching his 100th Canada West ordinary season victory behind the seat, Butenschon brags a gathering record 107-69, the top win level of any mentor in UBC men’s hockey history.
Butenschon’s most memorable Canada West Mentor of the Year grant came in 2017-18, his second season as T-Birds seat chief, when he directed the group to what was then their best standard season finish in a 28-game timetable.
The T-Birds open up the Canada West Final against the defending hero Calgary Dinos this Friday, Walk 1 at the Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Center. Puck drop for game one is set for 7:00 p.m. and tickets are accessible online at this point!