(FREDERICTON, NB) Stephen Anderson and Marcus McIvor have had incredible careers as members of the UNB Reds men’s hockey team.
Those careers will continue for one more season.
Both players have committed to returning to the Reds for the 2019-2020 season, playing their fifth and final season of U SPORTS eligibility.
“I love the city of Fredericton, I love the program and I’ve got lots of love for my teammates,” said McIvor, who served as the Reds’ captain last season.
Over four Atlantic University Sport regular seasons, McIvor has played 89 games, recording 29 points and providing steady and reliable defence. At the 2019 University Cup, in Lethbridge, McIvor was named a tournament all-star.
Both McIvor and Anderson have been part of four AUS pennant winning teams, two AUS championship winning teams, and three national championship winning teams.
For McIvor, the decision to play a fifth season was easy.
“Stephen and I have an opportunity to accomplish something that has never been done here before,” he said. “That’s where my motivation and drive to come back comes from, chasing a fourth ring.”
“Coming back for one more year and trying to add to the program’s winning history is definitely something that encouraged me,” said Anderson, who had his best season as a Red in 2018-2019. “I'd like to take a bigger role with the team, helping the younger guys get familiar with the league and the university lifestyle, as well as helping our team any way I can, on or off the ice.”
In 102 regular season AUS games, the forward has recorded 39 goals and 59 assists.
He’s shown regular improvement in each of his four seasons.
“Marcus and Stephen have played significant roles in the success of our program the past four seasons, and both are major additions to our team as they pursue their fifth-year studies,” said Reds head coach Gardiner MacDougall. “They both have an opportunity to add to their UNB legacies in the coming season.”
On top of the team accomplishments, both players have been recognized nationally, named to U SPORTS all-star teams that faced national junior team prospects. Anderson was a U SPORTS all-star in 2017, McIvor in 2018.
“Stephen has turned into one of the top offensive threats in U SPORTS with his game-breaking speed and work ethic,” said MacDougall. “He’s shown continual improvement in his performance in each of his years here at UNB and we expect that to continue this season.”
“Marcus has been a real stabilizer on the UNB blue-line,” said the coach. “He’s especially adept on the penalty kill and his shot-blocking ability is among the top in the AUS. He’s well respected by his teammates.”
McIvor and Anderson, and their teammates, begin the 2019-2020 AUS regular season on Friday, September 27th, at Saint Mary’s.
UNB’s home opener is Friday, October 11th, at 7:00pm, against Moncton.
The 2019 national championship banner, the third Anderson and McIvor have helped earn, will be raised that evening.