EDMONTON - University hockey returns to Western Canada September 28 when the puck drops on the 2018-19 Canada West men's hockey season, while the women hit the ice beginning October 5.
The CW men's and women's hockey schedules were unveiled Tuesday, as the conference continued its June schedule reveals.
The season marks the first in Merlis Belsher Place for the University of Saskatchewan's programs. Season tickets can be purchased at www.unleash-a-new-era.ca.
A total of 49 Western Hockey League (WHL) graduates competed in the 2018 CW Final, with 25 suiting up for the eventual CW and U SPORTS champion Golden Bears. A total of 149 WHL products helped fuel Canada West men's hockey last season, as they continued to pursue their athletic and academic goals thanks in part to the WHL Scholarship Program.
The men will take one of two bye weeks the first weekend of October, as women's regular season action opens with four series Oct. 5-6.
Manitoba begins their CW and U SPORTS title defences at home on opening weekend, as the Calgary Dinos head to Winnipeg for a tough early season test. Meanwhile in Saskatoon, the CW silver medalist Huskies host the Alberta Pandas in a matchup between top four teams from a year ago.
Saturday, February 9 marks the conclusion of men's and women's regular season play, with the conference quarters set for the following weekend (Feb. 15-17). The CW semifinals are slated for Feb. 22-24, with the CW Finals scheduled for March 1-3.
The 2018-19 women's season concludes March 14-17 in Charlottetown, PEI, as the University of Prince Edward Island Panthers host the U SPORTS national tournament. Meanwhile, a men's national champion is set to be crowned in Western Canada, as the University of Lethbridge Pronghorns host the University Cup March 14-17.
Lethbridge will host the U Cup for the first time in school history, and will be the first CW team to welcome the nation's best since Saskatchewan hosted the tournament in 2013 and 2014.
Again this season, you can watch every CW hockey regular season and playoff game on Canada West TV - the official streaming home of Canada West. 2018-19 Canada West TV passes go on sale Thursday, June 21.
CW schedule release dates:
Field hockey: Wednesday, June 6
Rugby 15s: Thursday, June 7
Soccer: Thursday, June 14
Volleyball: Wednesday, June 20
Basketball: Thursday, June 21
Championship sports (swimming, curling, wrestling, track & field): Thursday, June 28