MRU Defenceman Named Player of the Year

By Aaron Hilson

Mount Royal Cougars defenceman Clay Hanus has been named both the U SPORTS Player of the Year and U SPORTS Defenceman of the Year, capping off one of the most dominant seasons in Canadian university hockey history.

Hanus’s historic campaign saw him lead all defencemen in scoring and play a key role in Mount Royal’s most successful season to date.

The 23-year-old blueliner finished the season with 12 goals, 31 assists, and 43 points in 28 games, becoming the first defenceman to win the Canada West scoring title since 1938-39. His 1.54 points-per-game average made him one of the most dynamic players in the country, and he was tied for second in total points across U SPORTS, making him the only defenceman among the nation’s top scorers.

Following the announcement, Hanus reflected on the honor, while keeping his focus on the Cougars’ upcoming challenge in the U CUP tournament.

“It feels amazing. It’s a pretty surreal feeling,” he said.

Hanus’s impact extended beyond offense. As a two-way force, he anchored Mount Royal’s back end while quarterbacking the team’s power play. His ability to shut down opponents, dictate the pace of play, and contribute in all situations helped lead the Cougars to a 22-6-0 record, the best in program history, and their first-ever appearance in the Canada West Championship.

By winning both the U SPORTS Player of the Year and Defenceman of the Year awards, Hanus joins an elite group of players who have dominated at both ends of the ice. His trophy case also includes the Canada West Player of the Year, Top Defenceman (Mervyn “Red” Dutton Trophy), and Top Scorer (Dave “Sweeney” Schriner Scoring Trophy).

Hanus’s individual success is part of a larger trend at Mount Royal, which has emerged as a powerhouse in Canadian university hockey. His Canada West scoring title and Player of the Year win mark the fourth consecutive season that a Cougar has claimed both honors, following in the footsteps of Nolan Yaremko (2021-22), Riley Sawchuk (2022-23), and Connor Bouchard (2023-24). Additionally, Hanus becomes the third Mount Royal player in the last four years to be crowned U SPORTS Player of the Year, joining Yaremko and Bouchard in this elite distinction.

“I think it speaks to the coaching staff and the development that they do. They work with us every day, and I think it’s starting to prove something. Now I think it’s just time for our team to prove how good we are,” said Hanus.

Since 2016-17, five Mount Royal players have won the Canada West scoring title, underscoring the program’s offensive dominance:

2016-17 – Connor Rankin (26 GP, 17-18-35)
2021-22 – Nolan Yaremko (20 GP, 19-20-39)
2022-23 – Riley Sawchuk (27 GP, 20-29-49)
2023-24 – Connor Bouchard (26 GP, 23-34-57)
2024-25 – Clay Hanus (28 GP, 12-31-43)

With Hanus’s historic season and Mount Royal’s continued dominance, the Cougars have solidified their place among the premier programs in U SPORTS hockey. His achievements not only mark a personal milestone but also reinforce MRU’s standing as a perennial contender on the national stage.