Estevan Power Dodge Bruins rookie forward Michael McChesney’s success this season resembles the welcome advances that have been made by the whole team.
“We figured he’d be either a third line centre or right wing depending on how our recruiting went, (but) what has changed is our expectations for our third line,” said Chris Lewgood, head coach and general manager of the Bruins. “Right now he’s really one of the catalysts offensively for our team. He’s pretty well playing the role we had set out for him. He’s just playing it at a higher level.”
McChesney, 18, was sixth in team scoring as of Dec. 29 with 15 goals and 30 points in 36 games. The five-foot-nine and 175-pound product of Dickinson, North Dakota, has accomplished that feat playing right wing on a line with, primarily, centre Zach Goberis and left wing Jayden Davis which regularly logs big minutes against the opponent’s top players.
“It’s just grind, go to the net and work hard,” said McChesney, who captured Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) Rookie of the Week honours in early November for his efforts. “I’ve always battled with injuries, so you never know when it’s going to be your last shift. You just got to go out there and have fun and do what you can to help your team.”
A move to the SJHL from his role as captain of the Dickinson High School Midgets last season has proven a bit of a learning curve for the young forward. McChesney said the play is faster than what he’s used to and the players are older, more skilled and stronger, but he’s up for the challenge.
“It’s actually really fun up here,” he said. “I love the speed. It’s all fast, everyone hits hard and everyone’s good. I like playing the game and working hard, so it’s a good jump.”
Lewgood said the Bruins have scouted the North Dakota High School Hockey League for several years and McChesney was one of the standouts they noticed early into the 2015-16 season. He said representatives then met with the forward at a tournament to gauge his interest before signing him to their protected list and inviting him to their spring camp with the expectation that once the season began McChesney would help make the Bruins a better team.
“My teammates are getting me the puck,” said McChesney about his line’s early SJHL success. “I’m using my speed and they’re using their speed. They’re creating space for me and I’m creating space for them. A lot of good bounces so far in the beginning of the season, so it’s just having a lot of fun putting the puck in the net and giving other people chances to score.”
