Following a busy Trade Deadline day that saw captain Cade Kennedy moved to Humboldt in one of nine moves by the organization, the Eagle Sky Estevan Bruins have announced third-year veteran Brady Wilson will pick up the mantle, named as team captain for the remainder of the 2024-25 season.
Head coach and general manager of the Bruins, Jason Tatarnic said the decision of who would take over the captancy was left up to the players, with an early consensus quickly reached that it would be #16.
“I told them ‘you guys select the guy you want to lead in the dressing room and on the ice and let us know your decision’… It was a pretty quick decision that the guys wanted Brady, and from our perspective he’s the guy we probably would have named as well, so we weren’t surprised at all,” Tatarnic said.
“[Wilson is] a guy who works extremely hard, he’ll do anything for the team. His first year he even had to play some defence for us, and he did a great job. He plays a physical game, and he does it in practice and in games, you know you’re always going to get that effort from him.”
Wilson said having his teammates’ belief and having seen many strong leaders over his years in the Bruins’ black and gold just makes the honour all the more special.
“It means a lot. We’ve had a lot of good leaders here over the last couple of years while I’ve been here, from [Kade] Runke and [Owen] Barrow to Cody Davis… those guys meant a lot to me while they were here and it’s special to be recognized.”
In addition to his play on the ice, Wilson’s efforts away from the rink, volunteering in the community and connecting with the next generation in particular, is another area his leadership has shinned, making him a natural fit for the role.
“We do a lot of team stuff here in the community and it feels like you meet a lot of the same kids and a lot of them remember you so it’s awesome to see them come to the games,” Wilson said, flashing his patented smile. “They’re always yelling down the tunnel at you, and it’s awesome to be a part of it.”
Currently sitting six points back of of the eighth-and-final playoff spot, heading into Wednesday’s game with a La Ronge team also battling it out to get back in the playoff fold, Wilson said there’s a sense of real optimism amongst the team that they can put together a strong stretch drive to make the post-season.
“I think all the boys are pretty excited,” Wilson said of the team’s outlook. “We’ve got some big games coming up these next two weeks against teams that are ahead of us, so everyone’s looking forward to it and hopefully we can start tonight with a big win.”
Wednesday’s game will be the first of two straight for the Bruins on home ice against La Ronge. Separated by just a single spot in the SJHL standings, the stakes will be as high as they ever have been this season, with both sides battling to get back in the playoff picture.
Wednesday’s game will be available on FloHockey and for free on the Bruins’ Official YouTube Livestream. The Room By Room Furniture Pregame Show will begin at 6:45 p.m. with puck drop to follow at 7 p.m.
For tickets to Wednesday’s game, click here.
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Marty Martinson/Estevan Bruins PxP & Marketing Director
On X: @MartyMartyPxP1