It’s been over 18 months since two former Estevan Bruins played their last game in the SJHL, but soon both Tanner Manz and Jayden Davis will begin their post-Junior hockey career at the University level.
Tanner Manz, a 3-year centerman with the Bruins who had a knack for scoring big goals in the playoffs, has committed to play with the University of Alberta Augustana Vikings (ACAC) for the 2021-22 season. While former Bruins’ Captain and 4-year winger Jayden Davis has committed to play with the University of Regina Cougars (USports) for the 2021-22 season.
Manz (Southey, SK) played his entire junior career in Estevan alongside his twin brother Tyson from 2017-2020. Tanner was incredibly strong in the faceoff circle and was a reliable two-way forward for all three seasons with the Bruins. Manz took his offensive game to another level in his 20-year-old year, putting up 20 goals and 41 points in 55 GP. Tanner had some memorable moments in Estevan, including scoring a hat trick vs the Battlefords North Stars in Game 2 of the 2018 SJHL semi-finals during a 7-2 win and scoring the double-overtime winner in Game 5 of the 2019 SJHL quarterfinals vs the Humboldt Broncos which led to the Bruins coming back from a 3-1 deficit in the series to win the series in Game 7 at home.
“Tanner is a player that came highly recommended,” says Vikings’ Head Coach Tim Green. “Tanner should be a player that will be able to provide offense and contribute to the success of our powerplay.”
Making the jump to USports hockey from the SJHL will be forward Jayden Davis (Alameda, SK), who finished his final junior season in 2019-20 as a point-per-game player (21G, 58 PTS in 58GP) with the Estevan Bruins. Davis’ four-season junior career was played almost entirely in Estevan, with the exception of 16 games with the WHL’s Lethbridge Hurricanes during his 17-year-old and 18-year-old seasons. Davis accumulated 46 goals and 89 assists for 135 points in 191 career SJHL games, but his speed, tenacity, and relentless drive made Davis a threat in all three zones and a fan favourite.
“Jayden’s skating ability will allow him to adjust very quickly to USports hockey,” Cougars Head Coach Todd Johnson said. “He’ll be looked upon to bring energy every night with the ability to play in all aspects of the game.”
Tanner Manz and Jayden Davis are the two graduating players from the 2019-20 season to commit to play for the upcoming season. They join the three Bruins’ from the 2020-21 season (Kade McMillen, Eddie Gallagher, Austin King-Cunningham) who have also committed to play university or college hockey this fall. Congrats to Jayden and Tanner!