After a heart breaking loss to the Alberta Golden Bears in last season’s Divisional Playoff, the Dinos have re-amped, re-tooled and refreshed for the upcoming 2005-2006 season. The off-season was highlghted by the re-instatement of star guard Whit Hornsberger, the additions of 9 new faces to the Dinos roster, and the coaching staff travelling to Texas Tech University to visit the immortal Bob Knight.

With stress fractures in both legs, now 6th year senior guard Whit Hornsberger missed all of last season with the injury. Unable to practice and play to his full ability, Whit was forced to sit out after only 2 regular season games. After leading the team to the National Semi-final game just the season before, the Dinos star point guard was issued a medical redshirt season for 2004-2005 and full re-instatement for the duration of the 2005-2006 season. As one of the all-time leading scorers in the history of the school, and as one of the most skilled players in the Canada West conference, the Dinos and their coaching staff are excited to have Whit back on the floor once again.

The off-season also marked the signing of 9 new players to the Dinos roster. With such a significant turnover, the Dinos hosted a July Training Camp in hope of getting all of the new faces familiar with one another before the start of the new season. The signings included blue-chip recruits Ross Bekkering, a 6′8″ Forward out of Taber, AB, and 6′6″ Forward Robbie Sihota out of Calgary, AB (See below for the complete recruiting list).

High School Graduates:

Ross Bekkering, 6′8″ Forward, Taber, AB
Robbie Sihota, 6′6″ Forward, Calgary, AB
Tony Dhaliwal, 6′3″ Point Guard, Abbotsford, BC
Greg Jobagy, 6′6″ Forward, Calgary, AB
Josh Minhas, 6′0″ Forward, Calgary, AB

College/University Transfers:

Brian Finniss, 6′4″ Guard, Acadia University
Jeremy Odland, 6′4″ Guard, Mount Royal College
Cody Darrah, 6′4″ Guard, University of Alberta
Adam Ford, 6′4″ Guard, University of Calgary Football team
Sonny Khangura, 6′7″ Forward, Kwantlen College (Redshirt 2004-2005)

The off-season also marked a trip to Lubbock, Texas for Coach Dan Vanhooren and his coaching staff. Along with Head Assistant Wayne Thomas and Graduate Assistant Matt Skinn, the staff was welcomed by the Red Raider staff at Texas Tech University. Highlights of the trip included watching Bob Knight coached practices, game and video breakdowns with the Red Raider Coaching staff, and a tour of the 16,000 seat SBC Arena which is home to the Red Raider Men’s Basketball team.

The Dinos will continue practice in preparation for their first exhibition game of the season which will take place on October 14, 2005 at the University of Cape Breton. The Dinos continue their east coast tour playing Saint Mary’s on the 15th, and Acadia on the 16th of October. The Dinos exhibition season will also see them playing at Brock, at McMaster, at Texas Christian University, and at Southern Missippi.