For the first time in 26 years, an Estevan Bruins player has won the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League scoring title.
Bruins left winger Austin Daae finished the season atop the scoring race with 30 goals and 71 points in 55 games, beating out Yorkton's Brett Boehm by five points.
The last Bruin to lead the league in scoring was Scott Burfoot in 1987-88.
"It's kind of an honour to be from Estevan and be the first one to win the scoring title for awhile," said Daae, 20.
The local product took over the league lead as the calendar turned to 2014 and never gave it up.
Daae credited his linemates, Tanner Froese - who finished sixth in scoring with 57 points - and Corey Kosloski. He noted that being on the league's second-ranked power play also helped.
"Tanner and I had success when I was here last year. We've played together our whole lives and knew each other's tendencies."
Bruins head coach and general manager Chris Lewgood pointed out that among Daae's 30 goals were some big ones that earned points for the club in the standings. He led the SJHL in power play goals (13) and points (31) and game-winning goals (seven).
"One thing they don't show in the stats is the kind of goals he got. He scored some huge goals for us, winning goals, tying goals. He was probably our most clutch player. Without Daaezer, we would've been on the wrong end of some of those one-goal games.
"He's a good kid, a solid teammate and a clutch performer. The fact that he's a local area guy, grew up here and has his family watching him every night, that makes it special."
This was the only full season Daae played in the SJHL, as he spent time with the WHL's Prince Albert Raiders, Prince George Cougars and Saskatoon Blades in past years.
He was released by the Raiders in the off-season and faced the prospect of returning home for his last season of junior hockey. Some players in that situation have a tendency to rest on their laurels, but Daae took it seriously.
"He was disappointed things didn't work out in Prince Albert and he probably could have used a better opportunity at that level, but he didn't (mope) around in defeat. He came back with his work boots on and obviously it paid off," Lewgood said.
Daae had a good incentive to put everything he had into his final season: a chance to continue his playing career. He isn't eligible to play in the NCAA due to his WHL career, but there are other options.
"I knew if I wanted to keep playing and have some university or pro options, I'd have to have a big year points-wise and have a good year overall. That was definitely motivation, not to coast through my last year and have an impact and do the best I could for the team."
Daae said he's talked to several Canadian universities, including the University of Saskatchewan, as well as some pro teams. For now, though, he's focused on the playoffs, which begin Friday against the Flin Flon Bombers.
