THE UBC Thunderbirds men’s hockey program on Tuesday introduced the first members of its latest recruiting class. Two goaltenders and two forwards, all British Columbians, will be joining a UBC team that finished with an 11-15-2 regular season record last year.
They include Manraj Hayer and Khaleed Devji.
MANRAJ HAYER (5’10 left winger / Vancouver)
Hayer played four seasons of major junior hockey with the WHL’s Everett Silvertips. The Vancouver native amassed 38 goals and 65 assists for 103 points in 194 career regular season games for Everett. He recorded an additional seven points (one goal and six assists) in 14 playoff games.
“UBC has a great academic reputation and allows me an opportunity to play in front of my friends and family,” said Hayer. “My familiarity with coach [Tyler] Kuntz was a big factor in my decision and looks like he has the team going in the right direction. I’m very excited to be joining UBC for the upcoming season and can’t wait to get started.”
Hayer will begin his studies in the Faculty of Arts.
“Manraj is a person with tremendous character, and a strong work ethic,” said Kuntz. “His combination of skill and work ethic will complement our group both on and off the ice. Manraj has been well coached and has very good habits. We welcome Manraj with open arms and look forward to his contributions to the Thunderbird Hockey family.”
KHALEED DEVJI (5’10 goaltender / Vancouver)
Khaleed Devji is transferring to UBC from Salem State University, an NCAA Div. III school in Massachusetts. He went 1-1 during his rookie season with the Vikings in 2012-13.
“UBC was an easy choice for me as Vancouver is my home town and I love the city,” said Devji. “UBC is also renowned for its high academic rank and sense of community, which I highly value. In addition, both my sisters have graduated from UBC and it allows me to continue the family tradition.”
Prior to his university career, Devji went 34-37-2 over two years with the BC Hockey League’s Coquitlam Express. The Vancouver native also appeared in seven playoff games, going 2-5.
“Khaleed comes to UBC as a tremendously popular player with our current group,” said Kuntz. “He has a previous working relationship with Eric Williams and will be a great asset to a strong goaltending group moving forward with our program. Khaleed will push his teammates to get better and work extremely hard to earn his keep. We are excited to welcome Khaleed to our family.”
The other two recruited are ERIC WILLIAMS (6’0 goaltender / Langley), who comes to UBC after four years in the Western Hockey League and a short stint in the East Coast Hockey League, and ROBERT LINDORES (6’1 right winger / Port Alberni), who returns to BC after spending the last two seasons playing for the NCAA Division I hockey program at Northern Michigan University.
UBC begins the 2014-15 Canada West regular season on the weekend of September 26-27 when the Thunderbirds host the defending CIS champion Alberta Golden Bears. The campaign will conclude in mid-March in Halifax, the home of the 2015 CIS men’s hockey University Cup.
