by Rory McGouran
Team Player to Watch – Caleb Petrie
2001 Fwd – Caleb Petrie split time as and 18-year-old last season between the Estevan Bruins (20gp,3g-6a-9p, 33 PIMs) and the PJHL’s Pilot Butte Storm (14gp, 11g-11a-22p, 55 PIMs). Since making the jump back up to the Jr. A level, the Bismark, ND native has earned the trust of Head Coach, Jason Tatarnic as an everyday player.
“He might not be a player that’s going to put up a ton of points but he’s willing to do whatever it takes to help the team win. He’s great on face-offs, great on the penalty kill, and works hard each and every day.” – Estevan Bruins Head Coach and GM, Jason Tatarnic
2020/21 Stats -5gp, 1g-1a-2p, 16 PIMs
RBC Forward to Watch – Eddie Gallagher
2000 Fwd – Eddie Gallagher has clearly proven himself as one of the driving forces of offense for the Bruins, and one of the elite forwards in the SJHL. Since getting his feet wet in his rookie season in 2018/19, Gallagher nearly tripled his point total, scoring 50 points in 56 games his sophomore year. Consistently making his presence felt in the tough areas of the ice, the third-year Bruin’s style of play routinely creates a thorn in the side of his opponents. His 9 points in 6 games is currently 4th among all full-time SJHL players.
“As a 20 year old, he just keeps improving every year. He’s a player that has it all, skill, speed, and he doesn’t shy away from physicality because he’s got that sandpaper to him as well. He has a chance every game to explode offensively and put up the points.”
2020/21 Stats – 6gp, 4g-5a-9p, 0 PIMs
Mayfair Diagnostics Defenseman to Watch – Devan Harrison
The Bruins have a deep list of defenders that could have filled this slot. However, the consistency of 20-year-old Harrison’s play on both sides of the puck gave the third-year Bruin the nod this week. After spending the first year and a half of his junior career with the WHL’s Kamloops Blazers, the Dysart, SK native has found a home along the Bruins blue-line, and was having his most productive start to a season yet. Harrison was second among all SJHL D-men before the season came to a halt, with 8 points in 6 games.
“Devan is a player that’s of high importance to our team. He’s a guy that provides offense from the back end but he’s really reliable defensively. He plays a quiet game, but it’s super effective. If you really pay attention to him, you’ll quickly realize he’s one of the top d-men in the league.”
2020/21 Stats – 6gp, 2g-6a-8p, 8 PIMs
SaskTel Goalie to Watch – Emerik Demers
One of the unknowns surrounding a talented Bruins’ roster entering this season, was in the net. After the departure of workhorse goalie, Keenan Rancier to the NAHL, Jason Tatarnic and the Bruins went with a pair of rookies to start the 2020/21 season. Although it’s been a small sample size, the addition of Demers has put to rest some of the worries that Bruins’ fans may have felt regarding their goalie situation. Out of the five SJHL goalies to play at least 200 minutes this season, Demers has allowed just 12 goals, the least among the group.
“He’s just getting used to the league. In the games that he’s played, he’s demonstrated that he can be a top goalie. He’s quick, has good reactions, plays the puck well, and a excellent first-save goalie.”
2020/21 Stats – 3-1-1-0, 246min, 12 GA, 2.93 GAA, .906 SV%
Direct West Rookie to Watch – Antoine St. Onge
Just four games into his junior career, 2002 Fwd Antoine St. Onge already has a four-point night under his belt. After putting up 27 points in 41 games with the Edson Aeros of the Western States Hockey League last year, the Shawinigan, QC native took a few games to adjust to the Jr. A level before jumping on the scene in a 7-0 blowout victory over the Weyburn Red Wings. St. Onge currently sits in third among all SJHL rookies in points, and will look to build on that total, along with his role on the Bruins once the SJHL season returns.
“I think he’s under the radar for a lot of people. If you look a t his points that he’s put up in th games he’s played, he’s demonstrated that he has the ability to chip in offensively. I think he’s going to keep getting better and better the more he plays.”
2020/21 Stats – 4gp, 2g-2a-4p, 0 PIMs
