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T-birds return to Meadow Park arena

Homeless team roams B.C. as home gets facelift

By Andrew Mitchell

The homeless UBC Thunderbirds have taken their game on the road this year, playing at different arenas around the Lower Mainland as their own ice surface is renovated for the 2010 Olympic Winter Games.

On Oct. 20 and 21 their schedule brings them up to Whistler to host the University of Alberta Golden Bears, one of the top varsity programs in the country for the past decade. The Bears have won the past two University Cup national championships, but have lost several key players.

The T-Birds have played in Whistler in the past, but have not hosted a game at Meadow Park for the past two winters.

The team is currently 1-1 after playing a double-header against the University of Calgary Dinos. The T-Birds will play Lethbridge and the University of Saskatchewan before heading up to Whistler.

“Alberta has definitely been a powerhouse the last few years, and they’re the defending champions so people can expect to see some pretty good hockey,” said Marc Weber, UBC sports information director.

According to Weber it’s been tough not having an arena to practice or play in, but the team is adjusting.

“It’s short-term pain for some long-term gain, is how we like to put it. We’ll be getting the Olympic arena for 2008, which is going to be tremendous for the program, but it is a little difficult in the short term,” he said. “Even practices are difficult with all the guys being full time students, but we’re making it work.”

Part of the reason for coming to Whistler is the fact that it’s even harder to find ice time in the Lower Mainland with UBC’s arena closed, but Weber says the team has always tried to move around to showcase the hockey program and has enjoyed coming to Whistler in the past.

“It’s obviously a great place for the players to be, and for some of the new guys that are from outside of B.C. it’s a chance to see a bit of the province as well,” said Weber.

Thunderbirds coach Milan Dragicevic has been working the last few seasons to put together a team that can be a contender in the tough Canada West playoffs and make the nationals. He feels that he is close, as the team posted its best record in 16 seasons in 2005-06.

This year’s team is a lot tougher and more talented, adding players like former Vancouver Giant Mitch Bartley, and WHL players Matt Schneider and Jeff Lynch to the forwards. As well, the team has 15 returning players from last year.

Tickets to the games are $5 for adults, and $10 for families, with pucks dropping at 7:30 p.m. on both Friday and Saturday. The Whistler Minor Hockey Association and Whistler Skating Club have been invited to help out, and use the event to raise funds.