The 2024-25 Bisons men’s ice hockey season was one marked by struggles, glimpses of promise and ultimately disappointment as the team fell short of playoff contention, finishing with eight wins, 20 losses and no ties. Despite individual brilliance from key players, inconsistency and defensive struggles hindered the team’s overall performance.
The Bisons’ season opened on a difficult note, dropping both opening games away against the formidable Alberta Golden Bears, 7-3 and 4-0. Early challenges set the tone for the campaign, with the Bisons often showing sparks of offensive capability but rarely maintaining momentum and defensive problems.
Forward Skyler Bruce emerged as one of the few bright spots, leading the team with 31 points (15 goals, 16 assists) in 28 games. Bruce’s versatility was evident through his power-play contributions, registering six power-play goals and eight assists.
Equally significant was Jonny Hooker, whose 17 goals made him the Bisons’ top goal-scorer. Hooker’s lethal finishing was particularly potent on the power play, where he scored 14 times, showcasing exceptional prowess.
However, the Bisons faced persistent defensive challenges, reflected by their inability to consistently shut down opponents, often conceding goals in bunches. Defensive lapses cost them dearly in matches like the Nov. 23 loss against the Calgary Dinos, where they fell 7-1, and the challenging road series against the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds at the end of the month, losing back-to-back games 7-2 and 7-5. Defensive weaknesses, paired with unlucky goaltending, prevented the team from stringing together the much-needed victories.
Goaltender Braden Holt carried the majority of the load, appearing in 21 games, and even contributed an assist. However, the defensive support in front of Holt was shaky, leading to unfavourable outcomes in tight matches. Backup goalies Kolby Thornton and Ross Hawryluk struggled to make a notable impact in their limited appearances.
The Bisons found little success at home with a record of five wins and nine losses but struggled significantly on the road, finishing with just three wins and 11 losses. This imbalance played a crucial role in not being able to qualify for the playoffs, eventually finishing with a disappointing winning percentage.
While the overall season was challenging, there were significant individual performances that were better. Riley Stotts demonstrated an elite level of playmaking ability, tallying an impressive 23 assists and 30 points overall. Dawson Pasternak, despite only playing half the season, quickly became an offensive catalyst, delivering 16 points (three goals and 13 assists) in just 14 games. His impact was sorely missed when he was not on the ice, highlighting depth issues in the lineup.
The absence of Pasternak in critical late-season games also raised concerns about the team’s secondary scoring options. With defences often locking down top lines, the Bisons struggled to generate consistent offence from their bottom-six forwards, which left them vulnerable in low-scoring affairs.
The physicality and intensity were not lacking either, as shown by Grady Lane’s team-leading 56 penalty minutes, indicating the team’s willingness to engage physically, even when scoreboard results were unfavourable.
The Bisons showed late-season flashes of what might have been possible, winning four consecutive games at the end of January and the start of February. Notable was the victory over the Alberta Golden Bears, one of the strongest teams in the conference, in a thrilling 3-2 overtime game on Feb. 7. However, the momentum was short-lived as the Bisons subsequently lost their final three games of the season, further exemplifying their struggle for consistency.
The overtime win against the Golden Bears was especially energizing, as it demonstrated the Bisons’ capability to rise to the occasion against elite competition. Yet, the inability to sustain this level showcased the critical need for improved endurance, discipline and game management.
Looking forward, the Bisons will face significant challenges in the off-season, particularly addressing defensive reliability and goaltending consistency. The Bisons’ may need to prioritize recruiting depth players capable of stepping into critical roles, especially considering the demonstrated reliance on a handful of offensive standouts. With core players like Bruce, Hooker and Stotts expected to return, the foundation for improvement exists, but without addressing defensive frailties, post-season aspirations may remain elusive.
