From national title to amateur tryout, things just keep getting better for Calgary’s Kent Anderson

Kent Anderson won a national championship with the University of Denver men's hockey team on Saturday and was signed with the Calgary Wranglers two days later.

What a week it’s been for Calgary’s Kent Anderson.

On Saturday, he was in Las Vegas winning a national championship with the University of Denver.

“Denver is such a special program,” said Anderson, who captained the Pioneers.

“The experiences I had there I wouldn’t trade for the world.”

That was just the start of the winning for Anderson.

On Tuesday, the 22-year-old signed an amateur contract with the Calgary Wranglers.

On Wednesday morning, he was on the ice with his new teammates for practice.

Anderson will likely play at least one game in Colorado against the Eagles this weekend and he says he’s taking everything in.

“Just continue to have this experience—you know, being able to practice with the guys and be in the room,” he said.

“Just meet the guys and have this experience.”

Have liked Anderson a while

The Wranglers have had their eye on Anderson for quite some time.

General manager Brad Pascall says he likes that Anderson is a strong right-shot defender.

He says bringing him in for a tryout at the end of the season makes sense.

“Bring him in and give him a taste of the pro game,” Pascall said.

“Good for him to get to know us and our group and the players and coaches and vice versa.”

“I think it’s a good thing for both to get to know each other,” Pascall said.

“He’s a player that we really like a lot, and I can see him being around for next season, too.”

Anderson did see a familiar face at practice on Wednesday.

He won a national championship with Wranglers forward Carter King in 2024.

King says he’s happy to have another Calgarian on the team.

“It’s awesome,” King said.

King was captain for Denver in 2024.

“Kent is a great guy, and obviously, being a Calgary guy, it’s nice, too, and being able to come home,” King said.

“Just to play with and see one of my teammates come and join us this year is awesome.”

Loving the Wranglers jersey

Anderson plans to make the most of his amateur tryout.

He says he’d love to wear the Wranglers jersey beyond this season.

“One hundred per cent, that would be a dream come true,” Anderson said.

“Obviously, being from Calgary and putting on the Wranglers jersey is a special feeling, so that would be something—it would be pretty special.”

The last two games in Colorado end a disappointing season for the Wranglers, who failed to make the playoffs.