Men's hockey add impact goalie Cole Plowman, shut down defenceman Zach Turner

The Bisons men's hockey added two more standouts to their 2025-26 recruiting class today, adding 6'3", 200-pound defencman Zach Turner and 6'1", 185-pound goalie Cole Plowman. 

Turner was an SJHL champion with Melfort this past year, while Plowman played at the NCAA Division 1 level and had 60 wins in the MJHL. 

Turner, a native of Boissevain, MB had 30 points in 2024-25 with the Mustangs, en route to a league title and silver medal at the Centennial Cup. He also suited up for Brandon and Swift Current in the WHL from 2021-24, playing in 111 games overall. 

"Zach is a tall, rangy 200-foot defenceman who can skate and move the puck very well," said Bisons head coach Gordon Burnett. "He comes off an SHJL championship season and we are ecstatic to add someone with his experience to our team."

Plowman, a St. Clements, MB native, most recently suited up for Alaska Fairbanks at the NCAA Division 1 level. Prior to that, he plied his trade in the MJHL, accruing many accolades between 2020 and 2024 with Steinbach and Selkirk. Notably, he earned the Fan Favourite Award and was an RBC Community Ambassador with the Pistons in 2023-24, where he went 30-6 with a 1.81 goals against average and .934 save percentage, with four shutouts. His mom Shannon and uncle Mike are also UM alumni. 

"A transfer from Alaska Fairbanks, Cole brings a year of NCAA experience into his U SPORTS career," said Burnett. "Cole is a proven winner with Steinbach in junior, and can be relied upon as a steady and technical goaltender in net."