The Estevan Bruins were busy at the SJHL's Dec. 1 roster cut-down deadline, dealing away three players. The most significant move Thursday saw the Bruins move 19-year-old forward Ryan Ostertag to the Nipawin Hawks in exchange for 1995-born forward Wyatt Johnson and future considerations.
Ostertag had nine goals and 17 points through 29 games this season.
Bruins head coach and general manager Keith Cassidy said he believes the Regina product has more to give and that extra ice time will benefit other forwards.
"We're pretty happy with our forward group. Ryan certainly does bring a dynamic presence to the game and has the ability to be a tremendous hockey player, but for the direction we're going and the game he brings, a change of scenery would be good for him, in terms of getting back on his game, I think," said Cassidy.
He said the ability of younger players to move up was "part of the thought" in dealing Ostertag."Look at a guy like Tanner Froese who can arguably play up in the lineup from where he's at right now. (Matt) Brykaliuk coming back (from injury) makes us stronger and he has the potential to be a top six player."
Johnson has two goals and 11 points in 21 games with the Saskatoon Blazers this year.
Cassidy said Bruins director of player personnel Rick Oakes is "very high" on Johnson, who was one of several prospects the team was targeting.The Bruins also dealt defenceman Jeff Bartel to the Swan Valley Stampeders of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League for futures.
Bartel, 19, was a surprise in training camp and earned a regular spot on what was, at times, a crowded back end.
He was not the only defenceman to be traded away Thursday, as the Bruins also sent 18-year-old Lyndon Soper to the Humboldt Broncos, who then flipped him to the MJHL's Neepawa Natives.
"Both Jeff and Lyndon were surprises for us coming out of camp. They earned their way onto this team with their work ethic. Both put in a tremendous amount of heart," said Cassidy. "I really respect everything they brought to the table, but when you cycle back in guys like (Connor) Milligan and (Tyler) Poskus (from injury), it really is going to limit the options and ice available to them.
"We figured (Bartel is) a '92 and he's got an opportunity to play some big minutes for a team."
With forwards Brykaliuk, Dylan Schellenberg and injured Eric Baldwin who can play defence if needed, Cassidy said he is comfortable with the current situation, although the team continues to look for some veteran help on the back end.
"We've been looking for that player since the beginning of the year. We're not going to sell the farm for that. I think myself and (assistant coach) Cole (Zahn) and Rick, we've got a plan in place, we have an idea of where we want this team to go and we're not going to stray from that at this point."
