Bruins Award Nominees

The SJHL announced the league nominees for the league's awards today with the announcement of each team's nominees. Here's a look at the Estevan Bruins nominees.

Rookie of the Year
Tyler Kauk.

The toughest award for the Estevan Bruins to decide with their solid group of rookie 18 year old players. Kauk, Austin Yano, Taylor Reich and Steven Glass were all legitimate candidates to be named the Bruins top rookie. (And players like Matt Brykaliuk, Tanner Froese and others aren't too shabby as well) Kauk has been playing his best hockey of the season for the Bruins over the last few weeks. He's been displaying more confidence by rushing the puck inside of the other team's zone, along with his hard shot from the point. Kauk has been a heavy hitter for the Bruins all season long and has emerged as one of the best 18 year old d-men in the SJHL.

Defenceman of the Year
Connor Milligan

This nominee may have come as a surprise to people outside of Estevan, but since being acquired from Camrose, Milligan has been the Bruins most consistent defenceman with his sold play inside of the Bruins defensive end of the ice. Milligan has been able to bring the best out of his defensive partner this season whether it's been Dominic Perrault, Zach MacLellan or one of the Bruins 18 year rookie defenceman. The Bruins really missed Milligan's veteran presence when he was injured with a concussion in November, but since returning Milligan has resumed his role as being a leader on the Bruins blue line.

Player of the Year
Dylan Smith

Smith claimed his second scoring title with the Bruins with his 37 goals and 37 assists this season. Smith has been able to generate a ton of offence playing on a line with Calder Neufeld and Cole Olson. Whether it's front of the net scoring goals or dishing passes from the corner, Smith along with his linemates have been igniting the Bruins offence all season. At points this season, Smith has been asked to play with some of the younger players and Smith responded in a positive way. With the postseason, Smith will be leaned on by the Bruins to deliver some big time goals.










Most Valuable Player
Josh Jelinski

Jelinski is the heart and soul of the Bruins and the score sheet is a very small indicator on how much he means to the Bruins. Jelinski plays with a hard work ethic that inspires all of his teammates. When the Bruins need a spark you will probably find Jelinski on the ice delivering a hit or some other type of big play to get the Bruins going. Jelinski is viewed as the ideal captain with his ability to lead the team with his actions on the ice and inside of the locker room. When Jelinski was sidelined with a concussion that sidelined him for nearly two months, the Bruins struggled without their captain. After the christmas break Jelinski formed a line with Tyler Paslawski and Matthew Dochylo and the three have been the Bruins most consistent line at both ends of the ice. With the gritty nature of the playoffs the Bruins will be leaning on heavily on the Jelinski-Dochylo-Paslawski line throughout the post season to score some big goals and too shut down the other teams top lines.

Goalie of the Year
Steven Glass

The Bruins have had 4 different goaltenders suit up for them this season, but in the end Steven Glass was chosen as their best goaltender. Even though he is an 18 year old rookie, Glass played like a seasoned veteran stealing games for the Bruins in places like Melville and Yorkton ethis season. After suffering a knee injury in early January, there was some doubt if Glass would be able to come back, let alone play at the high level he played earlier in the season. But Glass answered any questions in his first game back as he picked up a shutout against the Kindersley Klippers on Feb. 2. Glass faced a lot of rubber at the end of the season with a combined total of 89 shots against Yorkton, and Humboldt on Feb.8 or 11. Despite the Bruins scoring a pair of games in those games Glass gave the Bruins a chance to win in both games. It looks like Tyler Ross is going to head into the postseason as the starter for the Bruins, but there's no doubt that Glass is an option if he's called upon at some point during the post season.