ESTEVAN BRUINS
His name might make one think of basketball, but Isaiah Thomas is leaving an impression on the hockey world in his rookie Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League season with the Estevan Bruins.
The 18-year-old product of Bismarck, ND, is one of just three Bruins to have played in every game this year and as the only forward in that select group he has chipped in with five goals and 12 assists to begin his junior career.
The 5-foot-8, 161-pound winger joined the Bruins after three solid seasons with his high school team including an exceptional senior year last season when he registered 77 points in just 27 games. Thomas also played in 17 games with the North Dakota under-18 squad last year where he collected 13 points on three goals and 10 assists.
A late pick by the Alexandria Blizzard of the North American 3 Hockey League, a Tier III junior circuit, last spring, Thomas opted to come north of the border and so far he has played a big role in Estevan seeking a third straight Viterra Division championship.
Thomas had a quick transition to the higher level of hockey collecting five points in his first four games, but, like the team, he cooled off a bit as the season wound down.
The Bruins begin the second half of the regular schedule six points back of the Yorkton Terriers in that race for top spot in the division, but with continued improved play by everyone, including Thomas, that battle should go right down to the wire
