UPEI Men’s Hockey Panthers TJ Shea, Kyle Maksimovich, and Matt Brassard to represent Canada at 2023 FISU Winter World University Games
U SPORTS announced today that 23 student-athletes, including UPEI Men’s Hockey Panthers TJ Shea, Kyle Maksimovich, and Matt Brassard, have been selected to play for Team Canada in men’s hockey at the 2023 Federation Internationale du Sport Universitaire (FISU) Winter World University Games in Lake Placid, New York. The 31st edition of the FISU Games is set for January 11–22, with the men’s hockey event running from January 12–22.
Forwards Shea and Maksimovich have worked well together on the same line throughout the season, and Team Canada hopes their success continues when the competition begins. The pair have combined for 20 goals and 23 assists in 18 games. Breakout star Brassard is the leading U SPORTS defenceman with 23 points.
Led by head coach Gardiner MacDougall, the roster is comprised of four players from the Canada West conference, eight from the OUA, and 11 from the AUS. The coaches and support staff were announced earlier this fall.
“We are excited, and it will be even more exciting when we get together,” said MacDougall. “Putting together a group for the first time comes with adrenaline and pride. They want to represent their area of the country with pride. There is an increase in energy and effort when you put that storied Team Canada jersey on.”
The preliminary round of the men’s hockey event will be played in Canton, NY, with Team Canada playing against Ukraine on January 12 at 1 pm EST. The medal round for men’s hockey will take place at Lake Placid’s historic Olympic Center 1980 Rink.
