The Estevan Bruins have shipped a pair of veterans to the Portage Terriers of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League in an effort to trim their roster.
Goaltender Shea Cooper and forward Chris Daniels are off to Manitoba in exchange for 20-year-old defenceman Josh Dufresne and future considerations.
Dufresne went to the RBC Cup with Portage last year, but committed to Briercrest College during the off-season.
"We might be able to recruit him. We can dictate when that happens," said Bruins head coach Keith Cassidy.
The Cooper-for-Dufresne swap was completed on Friday, with Daniels' addition to the trade being announced on Monday.
Cooper and 19-year-old Derek Tendler had battled for the Bruins' starting job in pre-season, but a foot laceration didn't help Cooper's case.
Cassidy cited age and personality as mitigating factors in the decision to keep Tendler.
"A lot of it rests with the fact that we do have a young team and going forward, Derek's obviously a year younger. He has the kind of disposition we're looking for to work with our young defencemen and with (rookie goalie) Steven Glass. He's pretty laid back and he suits what we're looking for a little better.
"Shea came in and battled, I think he's a heck of a goalie and I want to see him succeed."
With that in mind, Cassidy had no issues with sending Cooper, and later Daniels, to a perennial MJHL contender.
"It's a good situation for him. Shea gets a new start. I think he'll be just fine," he said.
With 15 forwards, someone up front had to go and the departure of Daniels allows for more ice time for the Bruins' bevy of talented youngsters, with an eye to the future.
Daniels, from Winnipeg, recorded five goals and 12 points in 29 games with Estevan last year after being acquired from the Dauphin Kings.
Cooper, a native of South River, Ont., posted a record of 11-11-1 along with a .891 save percentage and 3.97 goals-against average last season.
