REDS still the team to beat despite changes
Hennigar takes over for MacDougall
HALIFAX, NS (Oct. 1, 2024) – As the Atlantic University Sport men’s hockey regular season is set to begin, all eyes will be on the UNB REDS this season. But for what reason depends on who you talk to.
It could be because they are the six-time defending Atlantic University Sport champions. It could be because that they are the two-time defending U SPORTS champs. It could be because they went the entire 2023-24 season without losing a single exhibition, regular or post-season game. Lastly, it could be because of new head coach, Rob Hennigar.
In Hennigar’s case, he has the unenviable task of replacing legend Gardiner MacDougall as the team’s new chief whistle blower. MacDougall retired from the REDS last spring after 24 seasons and takes with him a hockey bag filled with numerous conference and national awards and records - including becoming the winningest coach in U SPORTS history with 490 regular season victories.
“Coach Mac was such an incredible coach, person and advocate for U SPORTS you don’t replace someone like that. I was extremely fortunate to have played for and coached with Gardiner and learned basically everything I know about coaching through him,” said Hennigar about the role he is stepping into following 10 seasons as an associate coach. “His positivity and energy that he brought to the rink daily is something that resonates the most with UNB and the culture he built. He was always there for his players and would help them with what ever they needed as a person and a player and did a great good job building relationships with everyone on the team.”
With Hennigar riding shotgun last year, the REDS went 48-0 in their pre-season, regular season and post-season contests. Along the way, they captured yet another AUS and U SPORTS title.
Following that act would be hard for any coach, be it MacDougall or the incoming Hennigar. But, according to Hennigar, it has already been addressed.
“The historic season is something we have discussed and moved on from. It was great to be a part of but that was last season and this season with many new players will take on its own identity,” he explained. “The approach at UNB always stays the same along with the expectations. We are excited to get started.”
Notable departures from the REDS are last season’s AUS leading scorer and MVP, Austen Keating, as well as Brady Gilmour and Isaac Nurse to name a few.
While there may be some changes on the ice and behind the bench at UNB, they are still considered the favourites to capture the AUS banner. They received six of the seven first place votes in our pre-season coaches poll. The remaining first-place vote went to Moncton, who finished runner-up last season.
The REDS will start their AUS regular season on Friday, Oct. 4, when they welcome the Dalhousie Tigers to town.
The season will actually begin two days earlier when Saint Mary’s heads to Charlottetown to take on UPEI in Wednesday’s lone men’s hockey regular season game. Puck drop is set to begin at 7 p.m. ADT.
Joining UNB and Dalhousie on Friday night will be STFX taking on Moncton, and Acadia matching up with UPEI. All of Friday’s night’s games begin at 7 p.m. ADT and can be watched on AUStv.ca.