The CanElson Drilling Estevan Bruins were among the most active teams at the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League’s Jan. 10 trade deadline, thanks to a quartet of additions that reshaped the club’s roster.
One of the moves, the acquisition of defenceman Tyler King, actually happened a few months ago. The Black and Gold acquired King from the Melville Millionaires for forward Riley Woods in a swap of players who were on Western Hockey League rosters at the time.
King didn’t join the Bruins until mid-January due to injury.
Estevan and Melville hooked up again in early January, as the Bruins acquired veteran forward Tyson Predinchuk for prospect forward Turner Riplinger.
The third move saw forward Landon Gross come to Estevan from Manitoba’s Waywayseecappo Wolverines for defenceman Nathan Peabody and future considerations. Gross had been dealt to the Wolverines by the Kindersley Klippers earlier this season, but opted not to report and stayed home, waiting for a trade.
The final move was the most surprising, as the Bruins released veteran 20-year-old goalie Tyler Fuhr and signed another 20-year-old goaltender, Daniel Wapple.
Bruins head coach and GM Chris Lewgood has been impressed with the efforts of the four new players.
“I think they’ve gelled very quickly, and they’ve contributed consistently for us from the time they got here,” said Lewgood.
For Gross, the trade came as a relief, not just because he was dealt, but because of where he was traded. The Bruins boast three other forwards – Darcy DeRoose, Owen LaClare and Braden Oleksyn – who were teammates with Gross last year in Kindersley.
“It’s pretty nice,” Gross told Lifestyles. “They just welcomed me right away and they made me feel like part of the team.”
Ironically, his second game with the Bruins was against Kindersley – a game the Bruins lost 5-4 in a shootout. Gross was disappointed the Black and Gold couldn’t get a win against his former club, and he admitted it was a strange feeling facing the Klippers.
“I’ve never played the Klippers in my career,” said Gross. “It would have been nice to get the win, but that’s too bad.”
Gross spent nearly six weeks waiting for a trade, only to have it happen on the day of the trade deadline. He admits he was nervous during the process, and he didn’t know if it would happen at all.
Gross hopes he can bring offensive ability to the team, while trying to improve his defensive play, as the Bruins try to improve their spot in the standings entering the final weeks of the SJHL’s regular season.
Source: sasklifestyles.com
