By Mike Stackhouse
ESTEVAN BRUINS
KEY RETURNEES
1998 F Michael McChesney (Dickinson ND USA)
1999 F Jayden Davis (Alameida SK)
1999 F Matthew Chekay (Regina SK)
1998 D Johnny Witzke (Bismarck ND USA)
1998 D Jake Heerspink (Regina SK)
1998 D Aigne McGeady-Bruce (Nelson BC)
The Bruins are that team that excited fans in the first half of the year winning games 6-5. They may be the exact opposite of that to start this year as Witzke and Heerspink figure to anchor, possibly, the SJHL’s best blueline. McChesney and Turner Ripplinger give the forward ranks a nice dose of superstar level scoring. The pick-up of Jake Anthony, from Nipawin, on the eve of the regular season gives them a netminder who experienced what it’s like to be part of a Canalta Cup championship team.
OTHER PLAYERS TO WATCH
1998 F Turner Ripplinger (Regina SK) Big time player with 17-goals and 32-assists in 57-games with Portage MJHL and should go right to the top line in Estevan.
1999 G Jake Anthony (Grande Prairie AB) One of the top rookie goalies in the SJHL last season, Anthony was acquired from Nipawin this week to be Estevan’s number one netminder. He posted a 1.94-GAA and .929-SPCT with the Hawks.
2000 F Isaiah Thomas (Bismarck ND USA) Scored at a nice clip in high school and had 3-goals and 10-assists in 17-games with Team ND’s U-18 squad. 77-points and 33-goals in just 27-games at high school.
2000 F Eddie Gallagher (St. Albert AB) playmaking forward had 5-goals and 16-assists in 24-games with St. Albert Raiders. He also AP’d with Grande Prairie.
2000 F George Cathers (Carbondale CO USA) is a product from Shattuck-St. Mary’s as well as the Okanagan Hockey Academy, where he had 18-goals and 18-assists in 31-games played.
2000 D Kade McMillen (Carievale SK) moved the puck well at Prince Albert Midget AAA (44-12-23-35).
2000 G Grant Boldt (Blaine MN USA) was as stingy as they come with Sioux Falls U18, putting up a miniscule 1.20-GAA and .943-SPCT.
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