With the conclusion of another season, the Eagle Sky Estevan Bruins will see seven players from their 2024-25 roster graduate from the junior hockey ranks in the SJHL, to the next chapter in their hockey careers and lives.
Voice of the Bruins, Marty Martinson caught up with each of the graduating 20s to reflect on their time in junior hockey and some of the lessons learned and memories made.
#2 Kieran Ronan
Ronan joined the Bruins in late September, coming over from the North American Hockey League’s Aberdeen Wings to immediately step into a minute-munching role with the black-and-gold.
Finishing second amongst Bruins’ defenceman in scoring with 23 points (six goals, 17 assists) in 54 games, Ronan was recognized for his standout play as one of two Bruins’ players selected to represent the team at the annual SJHL-MJHL Showcase in Winnipeg in late January.
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Ronan finishes his junior career with 23 points (six goals, 17 assists) in 54 SJHL games with the Bruins. He also played six games with Coquitlam of the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL), four games with Aberdeen of the North American Hockey League (NAHL), and registered nine points (one goal, eight assists) in 33 games split between New Jersey and Utah of the NCDC.
Ronan will continue his hockey career in the post-secondary ranks next season, with Concordia University Wisconsin (NCAA III) in Mequon, WI.
#4 Owen Simmons
The local-most veteran on the Bruins’ backend, Simmons’ 20-year-old campaign marked the Midale product’s second full season with the team and fourth suiting up for at least a single game, dating back to his initial two-game call-up early in 2020-21.
A hard-nosed defender and staple in the team’s top-four, Simmons was recognized for his experience and leadership, named as an alternate captain with the B’s this year.
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Simmons played 105 of his 175 junior games in the Estevan community, finishing with 27 points (three goals, 24 assists) in 105 career SJHL games, all spent with the Bruins. He also registered 18 points (two goals, 16 assists) in 40 games with Saint-Jerome of the Quebec Junior Hockey League (QJHL); and five points (one goal, four assists) in 30 games split between Jamestown and Danbury of the NAHL.
#5 Kaelen Whittingham
The smooth-skating blue liner from Cranbrook, BC., set career-highs across the board this season in every major offensive stat. His 42 points (10 goals, 32 assists) finished tied for third amongst defensemen in the SJHL, and were the third-most by a Bruins’ defender over the last decade.
An alternate captain with the team, Whittingham served as power play quarterback, shot-blocking extraordinaire and the team’s most dangerous threat to provide offense from the back-end on a nightly basis.
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Whittingham played his entire junior career with the Bruins. His 143 games donning the B’s black and gold will go down as the most by any player on this year’s roster to date.
#14 Hayden Pimm
Whether tasked with a big faceoff or setting the tone with his physical play, Pimm’s in-your-face playstyle contributed more than can be quantified on the traditional stat-sheet.
Named the team’s Community Ambassador for his regular volunteer efforts around town, Pimm also played his best hockey down the stretch, registering 14 points (six goals, eight assists) over his final 13 games, dating back to Feb. 14.
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Pimm finishes his junior career with 20 points (10 goals, 10 assists) in 48 SJHL games with the Bruins. He also registered six points (one goal, five assists) in 38 games with Swan Valley of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League (MJHL), seven points (three goals, four assists) in 33 games with Wellington of the Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL), and 17 points (eight goals, nine assists) in 11 games with Campbell River of the Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League (VIJHL).
Pimm will continue his hockey career at the post-secondary level with Neumann University (NCAA III) in Aston, Pennsylvania next season.
#17 Jacob Hufty
A Swiss Army Knife with the Bruins this season, Hufty was regularly deployed throughout the lineup, from first-line to fourth-line, suiting up both at center and on the wing as needed.
Despite being the odd-man out earlier in the year when the team had a 20-year-old crunch, Hufty didn’t let it get him down, returning to the team when a spot opened up again, showing his resiliency and team-first attitude.
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Hufty finishes his junior career with 48 points (18 goals, 30 assists) in 114 SJHL games split between the Bruins, La Ronge Ice Wolves and Melfort Mustangs. He also played four games with the Merritt Centennials of the BCHL, and registered 13 points (six goals, seven assists) in 18 games with Kamloops of the KIJHL.
#20 Rylan Ringor
After bouncing around through much of his junior hockey career, Ringor found a home in Estevan this season. Shortly after being acquired by the Bruins at the Trade Deadline, the slick playmaker quickly became a natural fit on the right-wing side of the Bruins’ top line, alongside Ewan Rennie (C) and Steven Steranka (LW).
An integral piece of the line’s chemistry, Ringor finished the year with 13 points (two goals, 11 assists) in his final 10 games.
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Ringor finishes his junior career with 28 points (six goals, 22 assists) in 34 SJHL games, split between the Bruins and Melfort Mustangs. Ringor also registered 37 points (nine goals, 28 assists) in 60 games split between Winnipeg and Dauphin of the MJHL; and 69 points (21 goals, 48 assists) in 127 games split between Lloyd, Fort McMurray and Devon of the AJHL.
#16 Brady Wilson
The Bruins’ captain and the heartbeat of this year’s team, Wilson battled back from injury to start the year, to finish the season with new career-highs across the board in goals (14), assists (10), and points (24).
Whether scoring his first career hat trick in an OT thriller over Weyburn, or putting up a monster four-point performance versus Notre Dame down the stretch, Wilson’s intensity, enthusiasm and drive set the tone for the whole team.
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Wilson finishes his junior career with 41 points (23 goals, 18 assists) in 124 career SJHL games, all spent with the Bruins.
The Bruins would like to thank each of our 20-year-old players for their contributions to the team this year and throughout their time in Estevan, and wish them all the best in the next chapter.
Once a Bruin always a Bruin!
—
Marty Martinson, Bruins PxP/Marketing Director
On X: @MartyMartyPxP1
