Anderson chasing history
Islander returning to UNB seeking fourth national title in five years
Morell’s Stephen Anderson and Marcus McIvor of Whitby, Ont., will play their fifth and final seasons with the UNB Varsity Reds men’s hockey team beginning this fall.
“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.
During his four Atlantic University Sport (AUS) regular seasons, McIvor has recording 29 points in 89 games while providing steady and reliable defence. At the 2019 University Cup, in Lethbridge, Alta., 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 championshipwinning 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.”
WINNING HISTORY
“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 2018-19. “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 games, the forward has recorded 39 goals and 59 assists. The 24-year-old Anderson is studying business.
“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, a Bedeque native. “They both have an opportunity to add to their UNB legacies in the coming season.”
Anderson split the 2011-12 season between the Summerside D. Alex MacDonald Western Capitals’ junior A squad and the Saint John Sea Dogs of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. He played two more seasons in Saint John, N.B., before splitting his overage season between Vald’Or and Cape Breton. He has been at UNB since 2015-16.
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.”
The Reds begin the regular season at Saint Mary’s on Friday, Sept. 27.