The Estevan Bruins sent a shock around the SJHL and a message to their players on Monday, trading defenceman Austin Yano to the Kindersley Klippers.
Coming back is defenceman Brett Blatz, in a late-breaking deal from the Dec. 1 cutdown deadline.
Both rearguards are 19 and have another year of Junior A eligibility remaining.
Bruins head coach and general manager Keith Cassidy said the team wanted someone with a little more sandpaper.
"I think that rounds out our guys very nicely. We were looking for somebody - the way we've gone about piecing our defence together - to have a little more size and grit in our own zone," said Cassidy.
"In order to get something, you have to give something up. That was the price. We were certainly hesitant to do that because Yano does have a lot of promise, but at the end of the day, we feel this is a good deal for both teams."
Blatz brings size to the team's back end, standing 6-foot-3 and 205 pounds. In his second season with the Klippers, the Saskatoon native also has 10 points in 26 games, to go with 36 penalty minutes.
Yano was a rookie revelation as an offensive defenceman last year, leading all SJHL rookie blue liners in scoring with 27 points, and consistently logging anywhere from 20 to 30 minutes per game.
He had taken a step back this season though, managing only seven points through 23 games.
"He certainly had a good rookie season, he and (Tyler) Kauk back there. The expectations were for him to continue down that road, and for Austin's sake, maybe a new location will open things up for him and get him back to where he needs to be," Cassidy said.
Yano could not be reached for comment on Monday.
Asked why Yano had regressed this season, Cassidy suggested that the issue had more to do with the White City native's attitude than his skill.
"I won't be able to put my finger on it exactly, but I think with Austin - a lot of times you have players who have very good rookie seasons and just anticipate that that's going to continue throughout their career.
"In order to get to the top, you gotta keep bettering yourself and working at it. I think a lot of times players forget that and rest on what they know. We're looking for guys that are continually trying to prove themselves and I think Brett can do that," Cassidy said.
The coach added that he hopes the trade leads other players to step up their game.
"You always hope that a move like that has a bit of a shakeup effect on the guys. That's certainly not the core reason for doing it, but if that's a good secondary effect, that's going to help the team as well. Assuming that jobs are safe is not something we can stand for around here, and if that serves as a reminder, that's a good thing."
The Bruins made two other roster moves at the Dec. 1 deadline, which reduces the player cards for each team from 45 to 25. Teams tend to cut down to 22 or 23 to allow for additions to the roster at the Jan. 10 trade deadline.
They acquired 20-year-old centre Alex Cote from the Summerside Western Capitals of the Maritime Hockey League for future considerations.
Cote, a native of Kirkland, Que., had eight goals and 19 points in 25 games for the Capitals, who are hosting the Royal Bank Cup this season.
He spent last season with the Halifax Mooseheads of the QMJHL, posting 14 points in 43 games.
"Cote's somebody we've been after for a while. It takes a big leap of faith for him to come to our team at this point. He's a 20-year-old and he's got great leadership abilities," said Cassidy.
"He's got a good hockey pedigree and I know he's very concerned about getting the most out of his final year. We're looking for him to bring intensity and leadership and help us out in the very-needed area of scoring."
The team also released 20-year-old centre Dustin Jesseau, who was acquired only three weeks ago from the Abitibi Eskimos of the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League. Cassidy said he asked for a trade back to Ontario, where he felt the style of play was better suited to his skillset.
"He certainly came out here and worked hard and I think he felt the style of play in the league didn't fit into his best interests," said Cassidy, adding that Jesseau will likely wind up back in the NOJHL.
Earlier in the week, the Bruins jettisoned a pair of rookie forwards, shipping Ben Williams to the Virden Oil Capitals and releasing Brandon Halbgewachs.
The team now has 23 players on its roster, including injured left winger Calder Neufeld.
