The CanElson Drilling Estevan Bruins have added a local talent and a major midget league champion to their roster.
The Bruins signed 16-year-old left wing Jayden Davis and 18-year-old forward Joshua Bruce last Wednesday. Davis, who calls Alameda home, played for the Saskatchewan Midget AAA Hockey League’s Moose Jaw Generals for the past two seasons tallying 13 goals, 35 points and 38 penalty minutes in 83 games, while Bruce recorded 12 goals, 28 points and 101 penalty minutes in 39 games last year with the 2015-16 British Columbia Major Midget Hockey League’s Valley West Hawks, which is based out of his hometown of Surrey.
“They play different positions, but they’re similar in a lot of ways,” said Bruins head coach and general manager Chris Lewgood. “Both players are good skating, bigger bodies who bring some edge. (They’re) very well rounded players. Neither guy is going to score 50 goals, but both are going to give an honest effort every night and bring high character. (They’re) hard to play against guys who compliment their work ethic with a pretty good level of skill, so they add some sandpaper to the lineup.”
Davis, who played with the Estevan bantam AA Bruins in 2013-14, said signing with the team is a big step forward in his hockey career and his goal is to just improve and become a better player. He said the SJHL features bigger guys with more skill, so he’ll be hitting the gym hard over the summer months to prepare for action with his hometown team.
“It’s really exciting because lots of friends and family can come and watch,” said Davis. “I’ve grown up watching the Bruins and always wanted to make that organization.”
Lewgood said both first-year SJHL players may not be leading their power play next season, but they are expected to play a regular role on the team. He said the 2016-17 Bruins will be a young team with the players having to step up and play minutes and the feeling is Davis and Bruce can contribute on a daily basis.
