The Manitoba Bisons men’s hockey team continues to build towards the 2012-13 season. All three players announced are from Manitoba and two of the three possess Western Hockey League (WHL) experience. Bison men’s hockey head coach Mike Sirant, heading into his 17th season, is pleased to announce the commitment of forward James Henry, goaltender Deven Dubyk and forward Craig Scott to the Bison program for the upcoming 2012-13 season.

Henry, 21, played four plus seasons (2007-11) with the Vancouver Giants and ended his WHL career with the Moose Jaw Warriors in 2011-12. The 5’8”, 180 lbs. forward notched his WHL career best with a combined 71 points split between stints with Vancouver (41 games played; six goals, 35 assists) and Moose Jaw (28 gp; 10g, 20a) in 2011-12. The Winnipeg native led Moose Jaw and tenth overall in scoring in the 2012 WHL playoffs with 18 points (14gp; 6g, 12a). Henry was a team captain with Vancouver and finished his career with the Giants as the eighth highest scorer in franchise history with 184 points (281 regular season games; 62 goals, 122 assists) plus added 19 points (9g, 10a) in 45 playoff games.

Dubyk, 21, finished with the WHL’s Red Deer Rebels in the 2011-12 season. The 6’3”, 182 lbs. goaltender split the 2011-12 season starting with Moose Jaw in the WHL (three games) then with Humboldt Broncos of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) – 9-5-2 record, 2.40 Goals Against Average with two shutouts – and ended with Red Deer by posting a 15-18-3 record, 3.08 GAA and 2 SO. The Minitonas, MB native played two seasons with the WHL’s Medicine Hat Tigers and was a combined 20-9-2 record with two shutouts and years of 3.45 GAA and 2.89 GAA plus was named the CHL goaltender of the week in 2010-11. He started his WHL career with Moose Jaw in 2008-09 and prior to his WHL career, Dubyk played with the Manitoba Junior Hockey League’s Swan Valley Stampeders for four regular season games in the 2007-08 season.

Scott, 21, has played with the MJHL’s Winnipeg Saints in 2011-12 and two seasons with Selkirk Steelers (2009-11) in his MJHL career. The 5’10”, 175 lbs. forward accumulated his MJHL best scoring season with the Saints as he was tied for third on the team with 55 points (21g, 34a) in 62 regular season games while registering 21 points (11g, 10a) in 16 playoffs games during the 2012 MJHL post-season. The Lockport, MB native also was named MJHL Player of the Month in March 2012. With Selkirk, he notched 78 points (35g, 43a) in 113 regular season games.

“I’m really pleased with the commitments from James, Deven and Craig. They are certain to be excellent additions to the Bison Hockey program this season and are character people with solid values that will fit perfectly into the Bison culture,” stated Sirant.

Sirant continued, “James is a highly competitive player who brings tremendous leadership and desire to win. He is an outstanding two-way forward that will play a valuable role on the Bisons. Deven is a solid goaltender and a positive teammate who was well respected by the coaching staffs in Medicine Hat and Red Deer. He will challenge for the number one position with the Bisons. Craig has really elevated his play last season and was a key to the Winnipeg Saints successful playoff run. He has a very professional attitude and the potential to be an excellent CIS player.”