The rosters have been announced for the annual SJHL/MJHL Showcase, with six games to be played over two days at The Co-Operators Centre in Regina.
The annual showcase features six teams, made up of three teams each from the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) and Manitoba Junior Hockey League (MJHL). Each league has one team consisting of players who are 18 & Under (’01/’02/’03 born) and two teams consisting of 19 or 20 year-old players (’99, ’00).
Coaches and staff from each team submits their list of players that they would like to see at the Showcase, and from those lists the number is cut down to create rosters for the six teams. Since the primary objective of the tournament is to showcase players that are eligible for NCAA scholarships, no players who have appeared in Major Junior hockey games (WHL/OHL/QMJHL) are chosen for the event.
The Estevan Bruins will have five players representing the club at the SJHL/MJHL Showcase, two players in the 18 & Under division and three players in the 19 & 20 year-old division. Additionally, Bruins Head Coach/GM Chris Lewgood and Bruins Trainer and Strength Coach Dylan Lafrentz will serve behind the bench on Team Schwartz.
TEAM SCHWARTZ (18 & Under)
Griffin Asham-Moroz (2001 – 04/30) – (GP 39, G 14, A 19, PTS 33)
Griffin Asham-Moroz (West St. Paul, MB) is enjoying a breakout season in his first year with the club. As of January 13th, Asham-Moroz sits 2nd in team scoring with 33 points which is also tied for 3rd among all SJHL rookie scorers. Since the Christmas break, Asham-Moroz has 9 points (4G, 5A) in 6 games.
Cody Davis (2002 – 08/24) – (GP 35, G 5, A 8, PTS 13)
Cody Davis (Alameda, SK) has made his mark in his first full season with the Bruins playing as a 17-year-old. As of January 13th, Davis sits 5th among rookie scorers with the Bruins with 13 points in 35 games. Davis also appeared in two regular season games last season as a 16-year-old call-up, where he scored 4 points (2G, 2A). Davis also appeared in 5 playoff games, scoring 3 points (2G, 1A).
TEAM MITCHELL (19 & 20 Year-Olds)
Keenan Rancier (2000 – 06/21) – (GP 34, 17-13-3-1, G.A.A. 2.61, SV% .920)
Keenan Rancier (Victoria, BC) has been the Bruins MVP so far in the 2019/20 season, appearing in a league-high 34 games between the pipes. In his first season with the club, Rancier is among the SJHL goaltending leaders with a 2.61 G.A.A. and a .920 SV%.. Rancier is on pace to appear in the most games for the Bruins in more than ten seasons, and his work ethic in the gym and the video room are key to his consistency and success. Before joining the Bruins and the SJHL, Rancier served as a backup to NHL prospect Logan Neaton with the Prince George Spruce Kings who won the BCHL title and lost in the CJHL championship game to the host Brooks Bandits.
TEAM KUNITZ (19 & 20 Year-Olds)
Kade McMillen (2000 – 09/07) – (GP 38, G 5, A 23, PTS 28)
Kade McMillen (Carievale, SK) has excelled on the blueline in his second season with the Bruins. As of January 13th, McMillen sits 4th on the Bruins in team scoring with 28 points in 38 games, which is also good for 6th overall among SJHL defenceman and only 7 points behind the league-leader. McMillen plays in all situations and serves as an alternate captain for the Bruins. In his rookie season in 2018/19, McMillen tallied 14 points (4G, 10A) in 50 regular season games, adding 1 goal in 13 postseason games.
Isaiah Thomas (2000 – 03/17) – (GP 37, G 12, A 19, PTS 31)
Isaiah Thomas (Bismarck, ND, USA) has taken on an increased role offensively for the Bruins in his second season with the club. As of January 13th, Thomas is 3rd in team scoring with 31 points in 37 games while serving as an alternate captain for the club. Thomas plays in all situations for the Bruins and recently had an 8-game point streak (1G, 10A, 11PTS) from Dec. 14th – Jan. 10th where the Bruins recorded 6 wins and 2 losses. In his rookie season in 2018/19, Thomas tallied 26 points (10G, 16A) while playing all 58 regular season games. Thomas added 6 points (1G, 5A) in 13 playoff games,
Both Thomas and McMillen appeared in the inaugural SJHL/MJHL Showcase last season, where the Bruins had 8 players represented. It is the first appearance for Rancier, Asham-Moroz and Davis.
The games will be played on Tuesday, January 21st and Wednesday, January 22nd. CLICK HERE FOR SCHEDULES AND ROSTERS.