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in: Canadian ice hockey teams, Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League teams, Established in 1957

Estevan Bruins

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Estevan Bruins
Estevan Bruins.png
City Estevan, Saskatchewan
League SJHL
Division Viterra
Founded 1957
Home arena Affinity Place
Colors Gold and black
Head coach Jason Tatarnic (2020-present)
Franchise history
1955–57 Humboldt/Melfort Indians
1957–present Estevan Bruins
Previous franchise history
1957–71 Estevan Bruins
1971–81 New Westminster Bruins
1981–84 Kamloops Junior Oilers
1984–present Kamloops Blazers

The Estevan Bruins are a junior ice hockey team playing in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL). The team is based in Estevan, Saskatchewan, and play at Affinity Place. The team previously played at the Estevan Civic Auditorium which was built in 1957.

Radio station CJSL-AM 1280 broadcasts Bruins games. The team is also covered in print on a weekly basis by the Estevan Mercury and Estevan Lifestyles.

The first Estevan Bruins team, from 1957-58

History[]

From Humbolt to Estevan - The Humboldt/Melfort Indians played in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League from 1955 to 1957, but, that area of the province could not support the team, so the Indians G.M. and coach, Roderick (Scotty) Munro went scouting the province for a new location.

Scotty made his pitch to the leaders of the oil booming town of Estevan in the summer of 1956 and one year later his team arrived in Estevan to begin the 1957/58 season. Thus began many years of highly entertaining hockey for the citizens of Estevan.

SJHL (Estevan Bruins Franchise History)

1957/58

Estevan’s new entry into the SJHL was Saskatchewan's most southerly team. The Flin Flon Bombers, being the league's most northerly junior hockey team, would have had to travel 1000 Kilometers to play Estevan. The other teams in the SJHL, that year, would include the Regina Pats, Prince Albert Minto's, the Saskatoon Quakers and the Melville Millionaires. The new unnamed club will play 25 home games and will recruit many of the former Humboldt Indian players.

The local newspaper ran a contest to name the new club and “The Estevan Bruins” was selected after considering 0ilfield related names such as The Estevan Gushers, Oilers, Boomers, Wildcats and one other railroad-related name "The Estevan Soo Liners". Since the Boston Bruins were a major sponsor of the local team (even supplying uniforms) the name would certainly meet with their approval. William “Moe” George, was appointed the Estevan Bruins first business manager and Ernie McLean was recruited to assist Scotty in the coaching of the boys.

The general admission for that first season was: Adults: $1.00 - Students: $ .50 - Kids Under 12: $ .25

First SJHL League Game in Estevan.jpg

First Games - October 17 and 22, 1957

On Thursday, October 17th, 1957, 1,321 fans witnessed the Estevan Bruins first hockey game, where they defeated the Winnipeg Rangers, 8-4 in an Exhibition game. There were many firsts to this game: First junior age game played in Estevan; First in new rink; First game on artificial ice in Estevan and first hockey game played in Estevan in the month of October.

Five days later, on Tuesday, October 22, the first SJHL league game was played in the Agricultural Auditorium. The Bruins edged the Regina Pats 5-4 in overtime before 1,800 fans. That night the local Bruin Boosters witness future NHL stars in Bill Hicke, Terry Harper and Red Berenson playing for the Regina Pats while Dick Meisner was the game-winning hero for the Bruins.

1957-58 Roster[]

Coach: Roderick (Scotty) Munro - Assistant Coach - Ernie Mclean      57/58 W/L - 22 wins 29 losses   
# Player Name Pos. GP G A Pts PIM Birthplace Age
10 John Rogers C 51 20 25 45 43 ONT: Toronto 19
12 Danny Muloin C 51 20 18 38 77 MAN: Winnipeg 19
13 Ralph Walker C - - - - - ALTA: Viking 18
9 Barney Krake L 51 27 34 61 90 SASK: Rabbit Lake 18
6 Bill Thieman L - - - - - SASK: Humboldt 19
8 Ernie Dyda L 51 5 11 16 27 SASK: Norquay 17
11 Red Bosscha L - - - - - BC: Penticton 20
14 Jim Stewart R 51 15 19 34 18 SASK: Dysart 18
7 Dick Meissner R 51 49 24 73 9 SASK: Kindersley 17
15 Jim Munro R - - - - - SASK: Humboldt 18
2 Don Anderson D - - - - - SASK: Meota 18
17 Ron Erne R - - - - - SASK: North Battleford 17
12 Chuck Passmore W - - - - - SASK: Moose Jaw 19
3 Fred Knippel D - - - - - SASK: Rosthern 18
5 Jerry Serviss D 51 15 21 36 60 SASK: Moose Jaw 20
2 Bill Drew D - - - - - SASK: Melfort 19
4 Herb McMillan D - - - - -    19
1 Fred Cluff G - - - - - SASK: Prince Albert 19
31 Don Drummond G - - - - -    19

Also appearing in the Bruin lineup during the season were Ed Potts, Al Collins, Brian Parker and Herb Martell.

Summary of 1957-58 Bruin Season[]

The Estevan Bruins completed the season as they had begun. Rallying, in the last few games to slip by the Saskatoon Quakers, the Bruins edged into the SJHL playoffs and faced the heavily favoured Regina Pats. The Pats defeated them 4 games to 2 thus ending a successful first year in the SJHL. The Estevan franchise lead all attendance in that first season with 51,000 tickets sold for the twenty-five league games.

The Estevan Bruins played in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League until the end of 1965 when the Canadian Major Junior Hockey league was formed ( currently Western Hockey League ). This new league included The Calgary Buffalo's, The Edmonton Oil Kings, Regina Pats, Saskatoon Blades, Moose Jaw Canucks and the Weyburn Red Wings.

Two years after the formation of this new league, the Bruins won the President's Cup in 1967–68. In 1971 the WHL Bruins moved to New Westminster, British Columbia, where they became the New Westminster Bruins. Today that franchise is the Kamloops Blazers.

Until the National Hockey League changed its policy in 1967, the Bruins were a farm team of the Boston Bruins.

WHL Franchise history
Estevan Bruins 1966–71
New Westminster Bruins 1971–81
Kamloops Junior Oilers 1981–84
Kamloops Blazers 1984-Present

With the departure of the major junior Bruins, a new Bruins team was founded in Estevan that same year, which has played in the SJHL ever since. The Estevan Bruins have been Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League champions on two occasions, in 1985 and 1999.

Season-by-Season results[]

Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties Pts = Points, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against

SJHL years (1957-66)[]

Season GP W L T OTL GF GA P Results Playoffs
1957-58 51 22 29 0 - 199 206 44 5th Lost Semi Final
1958-59 48 30 16 2 - 207 163 62 2nd Lost Final
1959-60 59 23 33 3 - 187 257 29 5th out of playoffs
1960-61 60 36 16 8 - 279 176 80 2nd Lost Final
1961-62 56 34 10 12 - 234 127 80 1st Lost Semi Final
1962-63 54 32 18 4 - 186 139 68 1st Won Final. Lost West Semi Final
1963-64 62 35 19 8 - 259 196 78 1st Won Final, Lost West Final
1964-65 56 27 26 3 - 245 211 57 4th Lost Semi Final
1965-66 60 44 11 5 - 373 155 93 1st Won Final, Lost West Final

WCHL years (1966–71)[]

Season GP W L T GF GA Points Finish Playoffs
1966–67 56 33 18 5 273 197 71 2nd Overall Lost semi-final
1967–68 60 45 13 2 262 169 90 2nd Overall Won Final, Won West Final, Lost Memorial Cup
1968–69 60 40 28 0 294 195 80 2nd East Lost semi-final
1969–70 60 28 31 1 237 255 57 2nd East Lost quarter-final
1970–71 66 41 20 5 283 201 87 1st East Lost quarter-final


SJHL years (1971-present)[]

Season GP Wins Losses Ties OL Goals For Goals Against Points Final Results for the year Playoffs
1971–72 46 26 20 0 - 272 184 40 5th SJHL Lost first round to Humbolt
1972–73 48 34 14 0 - 243 163 68 2nd SJHL South
1973–74 50 34 14 2 - 233 150 70 1st SJHL
1974–75 58 41 17 0 - 302 202 82 2nd SJHL
1975–76 58 29 28 1 - 300 291 59 3rd SJHL South
1976–77 60 20 40 0 - 237 358 40 5th SJHL South
1977–78 60 32 26 2 - 309 265 66 3rd SJHL South
1978–79 60 14 45 1 - 211 339 29 6th SJHL South
1979–80 60 34 26 0 - 318 273 68 2nd SJHL South Lost 2nd Round
1980–81 60 34 24 2 - 326 272 70 2nd SJHL South DNQ
1981–82 60 17 40 3 - 246 332 37 5th SJHL South DNQ
1982–83 64 23 41 0 - 294 353 46 7th SJHL Lost 1st Round
1983–84 64 30 33 1 - 301 341 61 6th SJHL Lost 1st Round
1984–85 64 44 18 2 - 382 275 90 2nd SJHL Won League, Won

Anavet Cup

1985–86 60 47 11 2 - 461 242 96 2nd SJHL
1986–87 64 25 36 3 - 301 340 53 6th SJHL Lost 1st Round
1987–88 60 29 29 2 - 289 305 60 5th SJHL
1988–89 64 30 33 1 - 347 357 61 4th SJHL South
1989–90 68 30 30 8 - 239 261 68 3rd SJHL South Lost 1st Round
1990–91 68 26 37 5 - 260 330 57 5th SJHL South DNQ
1991–92 64 45 16 3 - 328 224 94 1st SJHL Lost Final
1992–93 64 32 26 2 - 256 232 70 3rd SJHL South Lost Semi-final
1993–94 68 27 32 9 - 245 252 63 4th SJHL South Lost 1st Round
1994–95 64 29 29 6 - 259 271 64 4th SJHL South Lost Quarter-final
1995–96 64 38 17 9 - 273 202 85 2nd SJHL South Lost Semi-final
1996–97 64 19 37 8 - 230 282 46 5th SJHL South Lost Quarter-final
1997–98 64 28 29 7 - 220 234 63 3rd SJHL South Lost Quarter-final
1998–99 66 44 14 8 - 288 191 96 1st SJHL Won League, Won

Anavet Cup

1999–00 60 20 32 8 - 190 246 48 5th SJHL South Lost Quarter-final
2000–01 62 20 38 3 1 225 299 44 6th SJHL South DNQ
2001–02 64 29 25 4 6 243 259 68 3rd SJHL Sherwood Lost Quarter-final
2002–03 60 19 32 5 4 212 262 47 5th SJHL Sherwood DNQ
2003–04 60 21 23 8 8 188 209 58 5th SJHL Sherwood DNQ
2004–05 55 34 14 6 1 195 143 75 1st SJHL Lost Semi-final
2005–06 55 13 36 3 3 140 223 32 6th SJHL Sherwood DNQ
Season GP W L OL SL GF GA P Results Playoffs
2006–07 58 31 21 - 6 203 203 68 1st SJHL Sherwood Lost Quarter-final
2007–08 58 29 25 2 2 197 184 62 4th SJHL Sherwood Lost Survivor Series
2008-09 56 24 25 3 4 203 185 55 5th SJHL Sherwood Lost Survivor Series
2009-10 58 18 36 2 2 160 209 40 6th SJHL Sherwood DNQ
2010-11 58 29 23 4 2 228 229 64 7th SJHL Lost Quarter-final
2011-12 58 28 28 0 2 208 211 58 9th SJHL Lost Quarter-final
2012-13 54 21 29 4 0 153 199 46 9th SJHL Lost Quarter-final
2013-14 54 27 20 3 6 164 173 63 3rd of 4 Viterra Div
6th SJHL		 Lost Quarter-final
2014-15 56 22 27 1 6 146 203 51 3rd of 4 Viterra Div
10th of 12 SJHL		 Lost Wild Card, 2-3 (North Stars)
2015-16 58 35 20 0 3 231 203 73 2nd of 4 Viterra Div
5th of 12 SJHL		 Lost Quarterfinals, 2-4 (Hawks)
Western Canada Cup as Hosts
2016-17 58 37 18 2 1 225 201 77 1st of 4 Viterra Div
4th of 12 SJHL		 W, Quarterfinals 4-0 (Terriers)
L, Semifinals, 3-4 (Bombers)
2017-18 58 34 19 3 2 239 184 73 1st of 4 Viterra Div
4th of 12 SJHL		 W, Quarterfinals 4-1 (Klippers)
W, Semifinals, 4-1 (North Stars)
L, Final 3-4 (Hawks)
2018-19 58 31 22 3 2 210 171 67 1st of 4 Viterra Div
7th of 12 SJHL		 W, Quarterfinals 4-3 (Broncos)
L, SF 2-4 (Mustangs)
2019-20 58 31 23 3 1 211 192 62 2nd of 4 Viterra Div
6th of 12 SJHL		 Trailing quarterfinal series 3 games to 1 when playoffs are cancelled
2020-21 6 4 1 1 0 26 19 9 N/A Season cancelled

Western Canada Cup[]

Western Canada Championships ** BCHL - OJHL - AJHL- SJHL - MJHL - Host **
Round robin play with 1st vs 2nd - winner advance to National Championship & loser to Runner Up Game
3rd vs 4th in 2nd semi-final winner to Runner Up game loser eliminated.
Runner Up game determines 2nd representative to National Championship.
Competition began 2013 season.

Year Round Robin Record Standing SemiFinal Gold Medal Game Runner Up Game
2016 L, West Kelowna Warriors 0-3
L, Portage Terriers 2-3
L, Melfort Mustangs 1-2
?, Brooks Bandits 4-6		 0-4-0 5th of 5 eliminated from playoffs



Playoffs[]

  • 1972 Lost Quarter-final
Humboldt Broncos defeated Estevan Bruins 4-games-to-none
  • 1973 Lost Final
Estevan Bruins defeated Regina Blues 4-games-to-2
Estevan Bruins defeated Weyburn Red Wings 4-games-to-1
Humboldt Broncos defeated Estevan Bruins 4-games-to-2
  • 1974 Lost Final
Estevan Bruins defeated Moose Jaw Canucks 4-games-to-none
Estevan Bruins defeated Weyburn Red Wings 4-games-to-1
Prince Albert Raiders defeated Estevan Bruins 4-games-to-1
  • 1975 Lost Quarter-final
Weyburn Red Wings defeated Estevan Bruins 4-games-to-3
  • 1976 Lost Quarter-final
Melville Millionaires defeated Estevan Bruins 4-games-to-3
  • 1977 DNQ
  • 1978 Lost Quarter-final
Regina Blues defeated Estevan Bruins 4-games-to-1
  • 1979 DNQ
  • 1980 Lost Semi-final
Estevan Bruins defeated Regina Blues 4-games-to-none
Moose Jaw Canucks defeated Estevan Bruins 4-games-to-2
  • 1981 Lost Semi-final
Estevan Bruins defeated Yorkton Terriers 4-games-to-3
Moose Jaw Canucks defeated Estevan Bruins 4-games-to-none
  • 1982 DNQ
  • 1983 Lost Quarter-final
Yorkton Terriers defeated Estevan Bruins 4-games-to-none
  • 1984 Lost Quarter-final
Melville Millionaires defeated Estevan Bruins 4-games-to-1
Estevan Bruins defeated Lloydminster Lancers 4-games-to-none
Estevan Bruins defeated Battlefords North Stars 4-games-to-1
Estevan Bruins defeated Weyburn Red Wings 4-games-to-3 SAJHL CHAMPIONS
Estevan Bruins defeated Selkirk Steelers (MJHL) 4-games-to-1 ANAVET CUP CHAMPIONS
Penticton Knights (BCJHL) defeated Estevan Bruins 4-games-to-none
  • 1986 Lost Final
Estevan Bruins defeated Melville Millionaires 4-games-to-none
Estevan Bruins defeated Weyburn Red Wings 4-games-to-none
Humboldt Broncos defeated Estevan Bruins 4-games-to-3
  • 1987 Lost Quarter-final
Lloydminster Lancers defeated Estevan Bruins 4-games-to-1
  • 1988 Lost Quarter-final
Humboldt Broncos defeated Estevan Bruins 4-games-to-1
  • 1989 Lost Quarter-final
Humboldt Broncos defeated Estevan Bruins 4-games-to-none
  • 1990 Lost Quarter-final
Weyburn Red Wings defeated Estevan Bruins 4-games-to-2
  • 1991 DNQ
  • 1992 Lost Final
Estevan Bruins defeated Yorkton Terriers 4-games-to-none
Estevan Bruins defeated Melville Millionaires 4-games-to-1
Melfort Mustangs defeated Estevan Bruins 4-games-to-1
  • 1993 Lost Semi-final
Estevan Bruins defeated Yorkton Terriers 4-games-to-2
Melville Millionaires defeated Estevan Bruins 4-games-to-1
  • 1994 Lost Preliminary
Notre Dame Hounds defeated Estevan Bruins 3-games-to-1
  • 1995 Lost Quarter-final
Estevan Bruins defeated Melville Millionaires 2-games-to-none
Lebret Eagles defeated Estevan Bruins 4-games-to-1
  • 1996 Lost Semi-final
Estevan Bruins defeated Lebret Eagles 4-games-to-2
Yorkton Terriers defeated Estevan Bruins 4-games-to-3
  • 1997 Lost Quarter-final
Estevan Bruins defeated Minot Top Guns 2-games-to-none
Weyburn Red Wings defeated Estevan Bruins 4-games-to-none
  • 1998 Lost Quarter-final
Weyburn Red Wings defeated Estevan Bruins 4-games-to-1
Estevan Bruins defeated Melville Millionaires 4-games-to-none
Estevan Bruins defeated Notre Dame Hounds 4-games-to-1
Estevan Bruins defeated Humboldt Broncos 4-games-to-none SJHL CHAMPIONS
Estevan Bruins defeated OCN Blizzard (MJHL) 4-games-to-2 ANAVET CUP CHAMPIONS
Fifth in 1999 Royal Bank Cup round robin (1-3)
  • 2000 Lost Quarter-final
First in round robin (2-2) vs. Weyburn Red Wings and Yorkton Terriers
Melville Millionaires defeated Estevan Bruins 4-games-to-1
  • 2001 DNQ
  • 2002 Lost Quarter-final
Humboldt Broncos defeated Estevan Bruins 4-games-to-1
  • 2003 DNQ
  • 2004 DNQ
  • 2005 Lost Semi-final
Third in round robin (1-3) vs. Yorkton Terriers and Notre Dame Hounds
Estevan Bruins defeated Humboldt Broncos 4-games-to-none
Yorkton Terriers defeated Estevan Bruins 4-games-to-3
  • 2006 DNQ
  • 2007 Lost Quarter-final
Second in round robin (1-2-1) vs. Melville Millionaires and Yorkton Terriers
Yorkton Terriers defeated Estevan Bruins 4-games-to-2
  • 2008 Lost Preliminary
Yorkton Terriers defeated Estevan Bruins 4-games-to-2
  • 2009 Lost Preliminary
Kindersley Klippers defeated Estevan Bruins 3-games-to-2
  • 2010 DNQ
  • 2011 Lost Quarter-final
Estevan Bruins defeated Melville Millionaires 3-games-to-2
Yorkton Terriers defeated Estevan Bruins 4-games-to-none
  • 2012
Qualifying Round Estevan Bruins defeated Notre Dame Hounds 3-games-to-0
Quarter Final Weyburn Red Wings defeated Estevan Bruins 4-games-to-none
  • 2013
Qualifying Round Estevan Bruins defeated Kindersley Klippers 3-games-to-1
Quarter Final Yorkton Terriers defeated Estevan Bruins 4-games-to-1
  • 2014
Qualifying Round Estevan Bruins defeated Flin Flon Bombers 3-games-to-2
Quarter Final Battlefords North Stars defeated Estevan Bruins 4-games-to-1


Alumni who went into the NHL[]

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