Ready to challenge for a provincial title and with aspirations of competing on the national stage, the Varsity Blues men's hockey team have set a high-bar for the 2023-24 season ahead.

Following a slow start last fall, the Blues propelled themselves back into contention with a six-game winning streak through the month of November. Toronto then knocked off TMU in the opening round of the OUA playoffs, before being eliminated by Lakehead in a very tightly contested three-game quarter-final series. With four consecutive seasons in the OUA postseason, U of T appear primed and ready to make a leap into the next round of the playoffs.

FROM THE COACH'S DESK
"We want to be a detailed-orientated group that is hard to play against and makes good decisions with the puck. With so much parity in our league, our goal is to be at our best every night and continue to evolve as a team as the season progresses. We have a solid mix of returning players and a larger incoming recruiting class. Playing connected will be a focus early on for us."

• Ryan Medel, University of Toronto Varsity Blues men's hockey head coach.

PLAYERS TO WATCH
Key Returners: Jett Alexander (G), Cole Purboo (F), Owen Robinson (F/D), Ryan Barbosa (D)

Key Additions: Owen Hollingsworth (F), Zack Terry (D), Aiden Reeves (D)

LAST SEASON'S LEADERS
Points: Owen Guy | 27 GP, 22 PTS
 
Goals: Cole Purboo | 26 GP, 13 G
 
Assists: Ryan Barbosa | 27 GP, 15 A

Wins: Jett Alexander | 22 GP, 12 W, 3 SO

FROM THE ICE
"I think our team is going into this season with a different mindset from what we had at the start of last season – making it to the second round of the playoffs. I think our group has been injected with new energy and there is a belief that we are able to win a national championship. I feel as if the team collectively had a great offseason and came to camp this year ready to be a contender." 

• Cole Purboo, 3^rd year, Forward

MARQUEE GAMES
October 6 vs. Western
The Blues begin their 2023-24 campaign on home ice versus the visiting Mustangs. Looking to start the season off on the right foot, Toronto will aim to claim their first win versus Western on home ice since February 2020, having earned their last two victories over the Mustangs on the road.

October 27/28 vs. Lakehead
After being knocked out of the playoffs last season by the Thunderwolves, the Blues will have plenty of motivation in this late October back-to-back versus Lakehead. Last season Toronto won the lone regular season meeting between the two teams at Varsity Arena by a final score of 4-1.

January 13 at Windsor
A true test of their ability to compete at a national level, Toronto will begin a three-game road swing in Windsor. Last season the Lancers reached the OUA Queen's Cup Championship and the U SPORTS National Championship quarter-final round, which will provide a measuring stick for the Blues this season when it comes to competition.

February 2 vs. TMU
Marking the Blues regular season home finale, it will be another Battle of Toronto between U of T and TMU. The late season contest will be the third time the two teams face each other with the 2023-24 series-clinching victory on the line. The Blues have scored 12 goals combined in their previous three wins versus the Bold.
 
GET YOUR TICKETS
Tickets for Varsity Blues home games can be purchased at varsityblues.ca/tickets.

All Varsity Blues hockey games will also be streamed live and on-demand via oua.tv.