As the chill of autumn descends upon St. Catharines, anticipation in the hockey community is building for the upcoming 2023-24 season of the Brock men's hockey team.
 
With a renewed sense of determination, a roster brimming with talent, and the echoes of past successes, the Badgers are poised to make a splash in the upcoming Ontario University Athletics (OUA) campaign.
 
Led by captain Jared Marino and alternate captains Justin Brack, Jacob Roach and Matthew Barnes, the Badgers' veterans bring invaluable experience to the lineup which will set the tone for work ethic and discipline.
 
Marino was a point-per-game forward last season with 11 goals and 26 points in 26 regular season games. He led the Badgers in power-play goals and was second behind teammate Roach with three game-winning goals.
 
Last season, Roach won the OUA West scoring title with 10 goals and 32 points in 26 games. With Roach in the lineup, Brock's offence ranked second in the OUA West in goals scored (100), first in power-play percentage (25.3%), and first in power-play goals (25).
 
The coaching staff, led by TJ Manastersky, added several promising newcomers to the roster during the offseason, which includes: goaltender Connor Ungar, defencemen Jonah Boria and Ryan Thompson and forwards Cale Sanders, Matt Duarte, Riley Gannon, Ryan Stepien and Holden Rogers.
 
Manastersky, who is entering his second season with the team, is building a program which emphasizes discipline and an offence that is predicated upon a strong defensive structure.
 
In his first season with Brock, Manastersky and the Badgers finished third in the OUA West Division with a record of 17-9-0-1. Brock reached as high as No. 5 in the national rankings during the 2022-23 season and made the second round of the OUA playoffs.
 
This season, Brock will compete in a 28-game regular season schedule featuring 14 home games.
 
The Badgers kick off the season with their home opener against the Lakehead Thunderwolves at Canada Games Park in Thorold on Friday, Oct. 6 at 6 p.m. Brock also hosts Lakehead in the second leg of a back-to-back on Saturday, Oct. 7 at 4 p.m. Tickets for both games will be available for purchase on-site.
 
Brock enjoyed a successful pre-season campaign where they posted a record of 4-1, which was highlighted by a 3-0 win over the Guelph Gryphons during the 23^rd Steel Blade Classic at the Meridian Centre in downtown St. Catharines on Sept. 22.

LAST SEASON
Regular Season: 17-9-0-1 (Third in OUA West)
Playoffs: 2-3 (Lost in Round 2)

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