The CanElson Drilling Estevan Bruins have acquired Dane Schioler from the Portage Terriers of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League (MJHL).
Schioler was part of the futures in a trade that sent former Bruin David Robertson to the Terriers last November
The 1996-born player from Headingly, MB, spent the last two seasons with the Terriers, and also played briefly for Western Hockey League’s Regina Pats in 2012.
This past regular MJHL season, Schioler had 20 goals and 22 assists and was part of the Terrier team that won the 2015 Canadian junior A national championship RBC Cup.
The Bruins organization hopes he can bring that experience to the team’s locker room.
“One of the reasons we wanted to make that move with Portage was, we knew Dane will be coming to us with that experience,” Bruins GM and head coach Chris Lewgood said.
“The guys can look to him for advice, and when it’s getting stressful for some of the other guys, he can lead the way and lean on his experience a little bit.”
When the Bruins traded Robertson, they knew that Schioler would be the future they would get in return.
“Our intention all along was to bring Dane Schioler (to the Bruins). He was our target right from the start,” Lewgood said.
Lewgood also mentioned that Schioler’s all-around game will contribute to the team.
“Dane brings kind of a mix of grit and energy with skill.”
Schioler also believes he can contribute to the team.
“I bring a pretty all-around game. I can definitely contribute offensively, but I'm a guy who gets in the dirty areas and plays physical,” Schioler said.
Lewgood added that in the past, most of the skill players in the Bruins organization were smaller in stature, and recently they’ve focused on recruiting players who have strength and size along with skill. And Lewgood believes Schioler is that type of player.
Schioler found out he would be part of the Bruins once the Terriers’ season ended, and now he is excited to play for the Bruins.
Schioler said winning the RBC cup with Portage is a highlight of his career, and he is ready to bring that experience to the Bruins.
“That was huge for me … I think that does bring a certain positive experience and leadership that I think I can bring to the table,” Schioler said.
Once Schioler starts skating with the Bruins, Lewgood believes he will have no trouble fitting in with the team.
“He’s the prototypical Estevan Bruin. He does a little bit of everything. I think he can play in any number of different scenarios and situations, and you know he’s going to be a good fit here for us,” Lewgood said.
This is the first time that Schioler has been traded in his junior A career, but he said he had heard great things about the Bruins’ organization and sees the trade as a new opportunity in his hockey career.
