University of Victoria Athletics

1996-97 University of Victoria Men’s Basketball
 
Men’s Roster

 
Head Coach: Guy Vetrie
 
 
 
Biography:
The University of Victoria men’s basketball team captured their first Canadian Interuniversity Athletic Union (CIAU) national championship since Ken’s Shields 1985-86 team. Under head coach Guy Vetrie the UVic men’s basketball team were crowned 1996-97 Canada West and CIAU champions.
 
The Vikes ended their regular season with a record of 15-5. The Vikes went on an 11 game winning streak between November 29, 1996 - February 7, 1997. Vikes Seth Adler, Eric Hinrichsen, Aaron Olson and Patrick Cannon collected a total of six personal game highs to lead the Canada West conference. Adler recorded the most steals - eight, Olson knocked off nine 3-point field goals, while Hinrichsen led the conference on January 10, 1997 with 16 field goals. He also led the conference in combined rebounds with a game high of 17 on November 29, 1996. Hinrichsen secured 227 rebounds throughout the regular season to lead the Canada West with 159 defensive rebounds.
 
The Vikes and the University of Alberta hosted the Canada West semifinal best-of-three series. The UVic men faced off against mainland rivals the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds. Going back and forth, the series went to game three where the Vikes secured the win with a convincing 90-83 victory over the Thunderbirds.
 
Under unanimous selection Hinrichsen was dubbed Canada West First Team All-Star, alongside teammate Cannon. Vetrie was named Canada West coach of the year. First-year Olson was named Canada West rookie of the year. 

Advancing to the Canada West best-of-three finals hosted by UVic, the Vikes swept Lethbridge in two games. In the first game the Vikes won 79-78 and than 100-75 to berth them to the CIAU tournament held at the Metro Centre in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

In a close match the Vikes defeated the University of Guelph 72-69. In the semifinals, the Vikes defeated the four-time and defending CIAU champions, Brandon University 83-63. One game away of capturing their first CIAU title in 10 years, the Vikes played McMaster University for the championship crown. Vetrie and the UVic men defeated McMaster 84-73 to capture the programs eighth Canadian national title.
 
In his 17^th season as head coach, Vetrie had a running total of 166 wins in 290 games. Hinrichsen was named to the CIAU First All-Canadian team, while Olson was named CIAU rookie of the year. Cannon was named CIAU tournament All-Star. Impressively, Hinrichsen was the recipients of the CIAU most valuable player (MVP) accepting the Jack Donohue trophy and the Mike Moser Memorial trophy for most outstanding player.
 
 
In 1999 Eric Hinrichsen was again recognized as CIAU most outstanding men's basketball player (Mike Moser Trophy). In 2001 Hinrichsen was inducted into the UVic Sport Hall of Fame. Five years as a Vike, some of Hinrichsen's achievements include, Vikes all-time leading rebounder (939), second in all-time scoring (1, 506 points), two-time Mike Moser trophy recipient and three-time CIAU All-Canadian (1997, 98, 99). Hinrichsen had the privilege to represent Canada at the 1997 World University Games and again at the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games. His leadership as a Vike led 1996-97 Vikes basketball team to the programs eighth national banner. 
 
 
Season Summary:
Canada West Record: 15-5 (1^st)
Canada West First Team All-Stars: Eric Hinrichsen, Patrick Cannon
Canada West Rookie of the Year: Aaron Olson
 
Canada West Coach of the Year: Guy Vetrie
 
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CIAU Record: 3-0 (1^st)
CIAU First Team All-Canadian: Eric Hinrichsen
CIAU Most Outstanding Player (Mike Moser Memorial Trophy): Eric Hinrichsen
CIAU Tournament All-Star: Patrick Cannon
CIAU Rookie of the Year (Dr. Peter Mullins Trophy): Aaron Olson
CIAU MVP (Jack Donohue Trophy): Eric Hinrichsen