~ Image courtesy Braden Birnie
Long-time Weyburn Red Wing Braden Birnie has committed to the University of Alaska at Fairbanks for the 2022-2023 NCAA Division I season.
At the trade deadline, Birnie, a 2001-born forward, was dealt to the Steinbach Pistons of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League but spent parts of five seasons ranging back to the 2017-18 campaign as a big part of his hometown club.
The Weyburn native scored 19 goals and 31 assists in 93 games in the SJHL and was selected to represent the league at the 2020 SJ/MJ Showcase in Regina, where he featured in both games at the event.
Moved this season as part of the Red Wings’ rebuild in exchange for a big haul including talented 2003 birth-years Blake Norris and Ethan Clements, Birnie will be remembered as a fan favourite around the Crescent Point Place in Weyburn.
Birnie’s Pistons are currently in the first round of the MJHL post-season, facing the Selkirk Steelers. Since joining the Manitoba club, he has 11 goals and 33 points in 26 games.
