Being successful doesn’t necessarily mean winning a championship, but becoming the number one for any sport means more than one can imagine.
While the run or build of the team began in 1980 it ended in 1983 that saw the Saskatchewan Huskies bring home the National title.
Monday, October 21st saw the 80-83 Saskatchewan Huskies get their true recognition that saw them enter the Canada West Hall of Fame in honor of their three consecutive banners along with winning the National Title Championship.
It was the early-80s in which the ride to the championship began in the 1980-81 under the guidance of Head Coach Dave King in a season that saw the Huskies win the Conference banner, that would see them repeat in 1981-82, only to fall short of the National title in both years falling to their eastern contenders d.
It should be known that in the 1982-83 season they topped the Canada West regular season standings with a 16-8 record, going on to sweep the best-of-three CW Final against Alberta.
This saw them grab their third consecutive W.G. Hardy Trophy, advancing them to the CIAU championship tournament.
At this stage of the season, winning was imperative and that they did as they defeated Brandon (6-2), going on to down Wilfrid Laurier (10-1) and finally the 6-2 win over Concordia for the 1983 University Cup.
Former Canuck bench boss Willie Desjardins who was the Captain in 82-82 was named MVP after he managed to record 11 points in three games setting a championship record.
He (Desjardins) also received the 1983 Canada West Player of the Year and Sportsmanship awards for his style of play.
Along with teammate Robin Bartel who was named Canada West Rookie of the Year, along with the goaltending pair of Bob Dougall and Owen Felske who were awarded the Adam Kryczka Memorial Trophy for the lowest GAA in the conference in addition to having King honoured as the Canada West Coach of the Year.
For the last century, organized university sport has been a central part of the student experience at institutions across Western Canada. Beginning with the University of Manitoba capturing the first Western Canadian Intercollegiate Athletic Union Men’s hockey banner in 1919-20..
This is a feat that student-athletes have been striving for to their full potential in sport as well as the classroom.
In a manner in which to recognize the 100 years of University Sport across Western Canada, the Canada West Hall of Fame was created in the spring of 2019 that saw the first ever induction class set to be unveiled throughout the 2019-20 season.
Saskatchewan’s three championship seasons (1980-81 to 1982-83) saw the Huskies post a 61-27 combined record in the regular season and playoffs as well as grabbing 17 Canada West All-Star selections which were six (6) First Team and eleven (11) Second Team selections.
In addition to this recognition the 1982-83 Huskies are members of the Huskies Wall of Fame (class of 2001), Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame (2000) and the 1999 Saskatoon Sports Hall of Fame.
See if you recognize any of the names!!!
TEAM MEMBERS – Dave King (Coach), Ron Robison (Assistant Coach), Brent McEwen (Assistant Coach), Glen Hawker (Assistant Coach), Barry Gunn (Manager), Craig Gattinger (Trainer), James Gattinger (Trainer), Bill Stefaniuk (Manager), Bill Seymour (Assistant Coach), Bill Lyle Bauer (Trainer) Pat Trainor (Trainer), Bob Dougall, Steve Amiss, Gary Smith, Owen Felske, Ray Machibroda, Stu Walker, Bruce Bradshaw, Doug Archibald, Kevin Jabusch, Dave Adolph, Marlowe Allison, Kerry Preete, Mike Wirachowsky, Peter Anholt, Dick Kotje, Kerry Preete, Brent Hamilton, Mike Babcock, Robin Bartel, Rob Jacobson, Duke Duchscherer, Willie Desjardins, Rey Hudson, Bill Hlynysky, Randy Wiebe, Dell Chapman, John Bechtold, Tim Hodgson, Time Leier, Greg Wiebe, Larry Gaucher, Bruce Keller, Randy Kearney, Dean Vogelsang, Gord Cannon, Kevin McNaught, Dennis Fenske, Greg Chudiak, Marc Chartier, Kelly Kuspira, Gord Tait, Arley Olson
