The Estevan Bruins are proud to announce that graduating defenceman Kade McMillen (’00) of Carievale, SK has committed to the Trinity Western University Spartans USports program for the 2021-22 season!
McMillen (6’2″, 205lbs) played three seasons for the Bruins, logging big minutes on the blueline since his rookie year in 2018/19 and stepping into a leadership role serving as Assistant Captain for 19/20 and 20/21. McMillen was also an offensive threat with 56PTS (12G,44A) in 113GP and was poised to hover around a point/game this year before the SJHL season was cancelled on November 25th. McMillen was also chosen to represent the Bruins at the annual SJHL Showcase in January in 2019 and 2020 (and for the ‘Virtual Showcase’ in 2021).
“I’m very excited to further my education and hockey career at Trinity Western University. I cannot wait to be a part of the winning culture for the Spartans.” – Kade McMillen
“Throughout his U18 and Junior A career, Kade has been an elite performer at both ends of the ice. He has great leadership bloodlines, with his father being a Captain in the WHL for a number of seasons, Kade has displayed that same leadership on and off the ice; and we are looking forward to him adding to our culture here at Spartan.” – Barret Kropf, TWU Head Coach
“We’re very happy to see Kade’s commitment to Trinity Western, who are entering the Canada West Division in USports this season. Kade has the tools to be successful at this level, and this will be a big offseason for him as he enters a very experienced league. Kade has been a big part of our organization on and off the ice, and we will continue to watch his career grow at Trinity Western.” – Jason Tatarnic, Head Coach/GM
As a player who grew up in southeast Saskatchewan and played some of his minor hockey in Estevan, Kade McMillen was one of the familiar faces for the Bruins out in the community during his time in Estevan. McMillen donated hundreds of hours of his time to attending community events, appearing at minor hockey practices, signing autographs and chatting with Bruins’ supporters. For his efforts, McMillen was named as both the Estevan Bruins RBC Community Ambassador and was named the SJHL’s RBC Community Ambassador in the 2019-20 season. The recognition also allowed McMillen to choose both his hometown school in Carnduff and Westview School in Estevan as recipients of a $1,000 donation.
With McMillen committing to the TWU Spartans, he’ll join another Bruins’ Alumni member in Hayden Guilderson out in Langley, B.C. Guilderson played two seasons with the Bruins (96PTS in 116GP) and was on the 2017-18 team that made a memorable run to Game 7 of the SJHL Championship, racking up 14PTS in 12GP that playoff year.
McMillen is the first player from the 2020-21 Bruins to commit to a USports or NCAA program this offseason. Congrats Kade!