The Eagle Sky Estevan Bruins are pleased to announce the team has acquired star forward Rylan Williams, defencemen Logan Goodwin and Alex Scheck, and Future Considerations from the Battlefords North Stars in exchange for the Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL) rights to forward Kent Moors.
A blockbuster move, the trade marks the first mega-deal by Head Coach and General Manager Drew Kocur, since taking over the reigns full time earlier in the summer.
“It was a busy last two, two-and-a-half weeks just working out the details and making sure it’s all going to work out for both sides and both sides are happy, and for us adding these three guys, and futures also with the deal, it’s a big trade for us,” Kocur said of the process.
“We felt we needed to add some skill, some depth and some veteran leadership to our group, and for the price tag it made sense for us. We’re excited to make the trade, it makes our team better today, and we’re looking forward to getting [the season] going.”
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Williams, who headlines the trade, is one of the elite returning forwards in the SJHL. The Kyle, SK., product is coming off a 42-point season with the North Stars (17G, 25A) in 50 games last year, while providing a unique blend of power and finesse with strong two-way acumen.
Kocur said he sees Williams as a player whose impact extends both on and off the ice.
“For us, getting Rylan Williams is huge. He’s one of the top players in the league, he’s a gamer, and he’s an impact guy,” Kocur said. “He can score off the rush, he likes to have the puck, and he’s going to be a real good help for our dressing room as a leader. We expect him to put up good numbers and we’re excited to have him as part of our group and really help our young guys develop as well.”
Defencemen Logan Goodwin and Alex Scheck also provide the Bruins with a valuable boost to their backend, as a pair of puck-moving blue liners who can skate and play effectively at both ends of the rink.
Goodwin is a 20-year-old left-hand shot defenceman from Penticton, BC., who split the last two seasons between Wellington of the Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL) and Melville and Battlefords of the SJHL, registering 20 points (three goals, 17 assists) and 118 penalty minutes in 99 career Junior games between the two leagues.
Scheck is a 19-year-old righty from Grande Prairie, AB., who suited up for 30 games with the North Stars last year, registering a pair of assists along with 56 penalty minutes.
“Just talking as a staff, and personally, I’m a big left-shot, right-shot [fan] on the backend, and now we have three on the right and three on the left so that was a positive for us,” Kocur said.
“Both Goodwin and Scheck have some playoff experience as well and that’s a big thing for our group, coming in this year. Goodwin’s so steady, he skates well, moves pucks up ice and defends really well, so he’ll help our backend with the young group of guys we’re bringing in, and Scheck is really versatile. He can play forward, he can play D, and for us that’s valuable. They’re both going to help with our veteran leadership in the room, and help the whole core of our group this year.”
Heading back to the Battlefords, the North Stars acquire the CJHL rights to fellow SJHL standout, Kent Moors. Moors was lights out for the Bruins last season, posting 40 points (19G, 21A) in 39 games prior to leaving for Sherwood Park of the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) in early February.
The Bruins would like to thank Kent for his contributions to the team during his time in Estevan.
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Marty Martinson/Bruins PxP/Marketing Director
On X: @MartyMartyPxP1
