T-Birds add experience and skill with 2025 recruit class

VANCOUVER – When the puck hits the ice for the start of the 2025-26 Canada West Men's Hockey season, the UBC Thunderbirds will feature a significant number of changes to their personnel with the addition of seven recruits to make up this year's freshman class.

Joining previously announced defenceman Jace Weir will be fellow blue liner Wolfgang Govedaris, forwards Quinn Disher, Reilley Kotai, Jaxson Ruthven and Nathan Sullivan as well as goaltender Nick Jones.

"We're real happy with the way things played out here," said UBC head coach, Sven Butenschon, who is about to enter his tenth season leading the blue and gold. "We're ready to win now, we want to book our ticket to nationals again and we've added some mature guys from solid programs that I think will step in and be impact players right away."
 

Govedaris heads to Vancouver having spent last season with Northern Michigan (NCAA Div. I), and brings along a steady combination of size, skill and experience.

A 6-foot-2, 200 pound right shot defenceman, Govedaris spent his junior hockey days split between the OJHL and NAHL, his final two seasons spent with the Corpus Christi IceRays where he put up 30 combined points in 72 regular season games.

"I'm a skilled defenceman who can make plays, be physical and remain reliable defensively," said Govedaris who has dual Canadian and American citizenship and calls Estero, Florida home. "I felt UBC would give me the best opportunity to ultimately play professional hockey, along with getting an amazing education. The coaches, facilities and school seem like a great fit for my future goals."

"He's a real versatile D man, he can do everything very well and he's just going to add some calmness and stability to the back end," said Butenschon. "Just like in the NHL, you're always looking for those right handed puck moving defencemen, they're hard to find. He played every game last year for Northern Michigan, a solid program against solid competition."

Quinn Disher returns to his home province after playing for Michigan Tech in his freshman season. The 6-foot, 181 pound forward had a prolific junior career with a combined 80 points in 123 BCHL games split between the Penticton Vees, Trail Smoke Eaters, Cowichan Valley Capitals and Prince George Spruce Kings. He finished his final junior season with the NAHL's Wisconsin Windigo, collecting another 11 goals and 20 points in 29 games.

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"I was looking for a new spot to continue playing college and heard good things about UBC," said Disher who hails from Fort St. John. "I know some of the players on the team and also heard good things about the coaches. I saw there was going to be a good opportunity for me to make an impact and play and after talking with Sven and (assistant coach) Myles (Fitzgerald), it's certainly the right spot for me."

"I'm excited to come back to B.C., I'm very familiar with the area and enjoyed my time in the BCHL and growing up in Northern B.C."

"Myles got to see him up close when he was coaching in the BCHL and spoke really highly of him," said Butenschon. "As we're watching video, we really like the way he plays the game and what he brings to the table. He's an energy guy that can create and plays the game the right way. The fact he was part of the whole NCAA rule change and he was maybe looking to fit in with a program, I think it really works well for both parties with Quinn."
 

Reilley Kotai heads back to the west coast to begin his collegiate career after a breakout final junior season in 2024-25. The Abbotsford, B.C. native led the SJHL's Melfort Mustangs in goals (39), assists (38) and points (77), and was a major factor in the team capturing the league championship and ultimately going all the way to the Centennial Cup Final.

"He's another guy that because of the rule change in the NCAA, he probably would have been playing south of the border on a solid program but when the music stopped and the recruiting was done for those schools down there, he was kind of in limbo," Butenschon said of Kotai who also led the SJHL last season in goals and points. "He was a bit of a late bloomer. He's a bigger body and kind of had to learn a few things in his junior career but he's added layers to his game constantly. We're expecting him to come in as a shoot first guy. His job is going to be to come here, get himself open, get himself into a shooting ready position quickly and with his shot I think he's going to score a lot of goals in this league."

"When it came time to decide where I wanted to continue my hockey career, I was looking for a program with a strong track record of success, both in terms of team performance and player development. UBC was the obvious choice," said Kotai who will study Arts at Point Grey. "After speaking with Sven, it was clear the program is committed to winning and helping players reach the next level. His vision really aligned with my own goals, making the decision to accept UBC's offer an easy one."

"I see myself as a power forward who brings a strong physical presence and a heavy shot. I take pride in playing a physical game whether it's applying pressure on the forecheck or shutting opponents down in the defensive zone. That being said, my greatest asset is my shot and scoring ability. Most of all, I look forward to working with my teammates and coaches this upcoming season toward our goals together."
 

Similar to Kotai, Jaxson Ruthven had an outstanding finish to his junior career, also one of the SJHL's most prolific offensive talents. In 97 combined regular season games with the Weyburn Redwings, Ruthven amassed 43 goals and 58 assists for 101 points.

"The style of play that we have here is a heavy forecheck, disrupting other teams' breakouts, putting teams on their heels and when you watch him play, that's what he does," said Butenschon of the Vancouver native. "He'll fly down the wing, he's got great speed, he's going to put pressure on other teams' defencemen and hopefully he can score a few, but I know his linemates definitely will. I've known him for a few years too and I think he's going to fit in really well in the room. He's going to be so pumped to be a part of this, his family is going to be pumped to be a part of this and you just love that homegrown aspect."

"I like the culture and atmosphere around the team which made me want to be a part of it," said the 6-foot, 165 pound winger. "The long history and reputation of the program, facilities and education have been another key component in my decision. I'm a versatile left winger who's expected to win and take important face offs. I like to create offence off the rush and can be relied upon defensively as well."

Having spent the last three seasons playing out of province, Ruthven is also excited to be able to embark on his collegiate career much closer to home.
 

"I loved my time outside of B.C., but I'm grateful to be home where my family and friends are."

Nathan Sullivan brings plenty of college hockey experience to the T-Birds as the Calgary native is transferring to UBC from RPI (NCAA Div. I) where he spent the last two seasons.

At 6-foot-4 and 203 pounds, Sullivan brings a physical two-way game to the west coast.

"The T-Birds have a winning culture and I want to be part of that," said Sullivan who played two years of junior with the AJHL's Camrose Kodiaks. "Off the ice, the school is awesome and being closer to home just makes sense for me."

"I can chip in offensively, play physical and be solid defensively. I want to bring energy, experience and do whatever it takes to help the team win. Playing D1 at RPI taught me how to handle tough scenarios and what it takes to compete every day. I've been through the ups and downs and I think that experience will help me push for another championship."

"I keep in touch with the old coach there at RPI who recruited him and that's how we kind of got on the lead with him," said Butenschon. "He's from Calgary and had a really nice junior career. He's getting a second opportunity to prove himself and from what we can see on video and talking to other coaches, he's got the size and the tools to be an impact player right away, so we're expecting a lot from him."
 

Goaltender Nick Jones joins the 'Birds from the AJHL's Grande Prairie Storm where he led his squad to the league final series this past season.

Another Calgary product, Jones spent his final two years of junior with Grande Prairie which followed a full season with the WHL's Brandon Wheat Kings.

"I'd describe my style as consistent and competitive," said Jones who boasted a 2.35 goals against average and a .918 save percentage last season with the Storm. "I feel like I bring a solid game consistently and with that it allows the guys to feel confident with me between the pipes. I'm a strong skater and will battle every puck out, allowing me to make big saves in key moments while controlling the game the whole way through."

"I've played a lot of minutes over the last couple years and that's allowed me to really develop both on and off the ice. I've learned what it takes to take care of my body and feel good game to game. On the ice I've been able to build on prior routines and play consistent hockey while getting stronger, faster and smarter. I've also played in plenty of big games handling pressure and showing up when it counts."

Following the graduation of Dorrin Luding, Jones joins Cole Schwebius and Brett Mirwald to make up one of the most formidable goaltending trios anywhere in the country.
 

"Even if you talk to Cole and Brett, they like the fact we're bringing in another guy that will add to the position that will push them," Butenschon said. "We're really proud to be bringing Nick in. His dad was on the recruiting trip, a real great family. Talk about a kid who's excited for the next chapter, if you called him right now he'd probably be smiling and you'd feel his energy and excitement for the next chapter in his life."

Having lost in last season's Canada West semifinal in heartbreaking fashion, missing out on the University Cup in the process, the T-Birds are more than ready to take another run at it.

Restocking with this recruit class should certainly give the squad ample opportunity to do so when combined with the quality of returning veterans.

The 'Birds will officially begin their mission to get back to the national championship when the 2025-26 Canada West season opens up at home on Friday, October 3 vs the MacEwan Griffins.