The University of Regina men’s hockey team has announced seven new players for their 2020-2021 squad.

Among the new Cougars recruits are former Regina Pats captain Austin Pratt and Moose Jaw Warriors defenceman Carson Sass. The other five joining the U of R are forward Jayden Davis (Estevan Bruins – SJHL), defenceman Dylan McCabe (Battlefords North Stars – SJHL), defenceman Jeff Rayman (University of Lethbridge – U Sports), defenceman Taylor Fisher (University of Lethbridge – U Sports) and Travis Mayan (University of Alberta Augustana – ACAC).

Pratt, who spent five full years in the Western Hockey League, including the past two and a half seasons with Regina. Pratt led the Pats in scoring in both of the last two seasons, putting up 51 points in 2018-19 and 57 points last year as an overager. He will be entering the Faculty of Arts.

“Austin is a big body that will fit into our lineup right away,” said head coach Todd Johnson. “He has a heavy shot with offensive ability and is a mature young man who will bring leadership to our dressing room.”

For Melville’s Carson Sass, he spent most of his four years in junior with Red Deer, but split his 20-year-old season between the Kelowna Rockets and the Moose Jaw Warriors. He amassed 254 career regular season games in the WHL, collecting 10 goals and 31 assists for 41 points. Sass will be studying in the Faculty of Business Administration.

“Carson is a big stay-at-home defenceman that we expect will have a smooth transition to U Sports hockey and will continue to grow here at the U of R,” mentioned Johnson.

The University of Lethbridge’s Taylor Fisher and Jeff Rayman are making the switch after the school announced in April that it would no longer compete in hockey at the U Sports level. Both players have two seasons of eligibility remaining and will come to the U of R as visiting students as they draw close to the completion of their University of Lethbridge degrees.

Travis Mayan finished third in league scoring with 47 points in just 29 ACAC games last year with the University of Alberta Augustana Vikings. Mayan will have one year of eligibility with the Cougars, as he spent four seasons at Augustana and compiled 117 points in 97 career regular season games. He will enroll in the Faculty of Arts.

Jayden Davis and Dylan McCabe are moving on from the SJHL to play U Sports hockey this upcoming year.

Davis was a point-per-game player with the Estevan Bruins last year and played his entire junior career with the club except for 16 games with the WHL’s Lethbridge Hurricanes. Davis accumulated 46 goals and 89 assists for 135 points in 191 career SJHL games.

McCabe joins the Cougars after three seasons of SJHL hockey – his latest stop with the Battlefords North Stars. He picked up seven goals and 15 assists for 22 points in 50 games last year with the Battlefords. He will enroll in the Saskatchewan Urban Native Teacher Education Program.