The SJHL held their 2023 Draft on June 1st as all 12 teams selected prospects that could be part of their respective rosters as early as next season.
The SJHL Draft format includes two separate drafts: 6 rounds, with 12 picks in each round, where players born in 2007 are eligible. That is followed by 2 rounds, with 12 picks in each round, where players born in 2008 are eligible. This is the second edition of this new format, as previously only players from one birth-year were selected.
The Bruins only held two picks in the 2007-born player draft, after trading away each of their picks in the first 4 rounds in previous transactions. The Bruins held the 55th and 67th overall picks, however they would “pass” on their 67th pick and ended up only selecting one player with pick #55. The Bruins made both their selections in the 2008-born draft.
2007: #55 – Round 5 – Wyatt Bouvier (G) – Saskatoon
The Bruins selected goaltender Wyatt Bouvier, who played the 2022/23 season with the U18 AAA Yorkton Maulers. Bouvier only appeared in 17 games as a rookie, but is expected to see significantly more minutes in his second season of AAA competition.
2008: #7 – Round 1 – Gunner Moore (F) – Carievale
The Bruins selected Gunner Moore with their first selection of 2008-born players. Moore is a local player, growing up just over an hour east of Estevan in the community of Carievale. Moore played the last two seasons in Estevan with the U15 AA Bruins, and was a standout last season tallying 56 PTS (28G/28A) in 29 games. Moore is committed to stay and play in Estevan as he’ll suit up for his U18 AAA rookie season with the Estevan Bears, so Bruins’ fans will get to continue watching the local prospect develop at Affinity Place.
2008: #19 – Round 2 – Brock Kolibab (F) – Saskatoon
Brock Kolibab was the Bruins’ next selection in the 2008 draft after a solid season with the Saskatoon Stallions U15 AA squad. Kolibab only appeared in 20 games, but racked up 40 PTS (21G/19A) and added 41 PIM.