Estevan Bruins

The Estevan Bruins are a junior ice hockey team playing in the Junior "A" Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL). The team is based in Estevan, Saskatchewan, Canada, and plays at Affinity Place. They were founded in 1971, when a previous franchise called the Estevan Bruins, which played in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League from 1957 to 1966 and then the Major Junior Western Hockey League (WHL) from 1966 to 1971, relocated to New Westminster, British Columbia; that franchise is today known as the Kamloops Blazers.

Estevan Bruins
CityEstevan, Saskatchewan
LeagueSJHL
DivisionViterra
Founded1948
Home arenaAffinity Place
ColoursGold and black
Head coachJason Tatarnic
Websitewww.estevanbruins.com
Franchise history
1971–presentEstevan Bruins
Previous franchise history
1948–1955Humboldt Indians
1955–1957Humboldt-Melfort Indians
1957–1971Estevan Bruins
1971–1981New Westminster Bruins
1981–1984Kamloops Junior Oilers
1984–presentKamloops Blazers

The original Estevan Bruins (1957–1971)

In 1956, Scotty Munro made a presentation to the leaders of the booming oil town of Estevan. His plan was to move his Humboldt/Melfort Indians (playing in Humboldt and Melfort, Saskatchewan), which was a franchise in the original version of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (1948–1966), to Estevan. The concept of Major Junior hockey had not yet been created, so this original SJHL was playing at the top level of junior hockey in Saskatchewan; should the citizens of Estevan finance the building of a new arena, Munro would bring top-notch hockey entertainment and much-needed help for minor hockey in the town.[1]

His pitch was successful and one year later his newly renamed "Bruins" arrived in Estevan to begin the 1957–58 season in the newly built Agricultural Auditorium. At the time, the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League had six teams. The Estevan Bruins, based near the border with the United States, were the southernmost team, located 800 kilometres (500 mi) away from the northernmost team, the Flin Flon Bombers, and would make shorter trips to play the Prince Albert Minto's, Regina Pats, Saskatoon Quakers and Melville Millionaires. The league had grown to eight teams by its final season, 1965–66, then disbanded when five of its eight teams – including the Estevan Bruins – joined the newly formed Canadian Major Junior Hockey League (along with two Alberta-based teams) for the inaugural 1966–67 CMJHL season.

The CMJHL was renamed the Western Canada Junior Hockey League, expanding into Manitoba, for the 1967–68 WCHL season.[2] The Bruins scored their greatest success in that 1967–68 season, finishing second in the regular season before winning the President's Cup as WCHL playoff champions. They advanced to face British Columbia's Mowat Cup champion, the Penticton Broncos, whom they defeated to take the Abbott Cup as champion of Western Canada. The Bruins then faced Ontario's Niagara Falls Flyers, winner of Eastern Canada's George Richardson Memorial Trophy (having defeated Quebec's Verdun Maple Leafs), in a best-of-7 series for the 1968 Memorial Cup national championship. The Bruins were defeated, in five games, as the Flyers won their second Memorial Cup.

The Bruins played in Estevan through to the completion of the 1970-71 WCHL season, then relocated to New Westminster, British Columbia, where they became the New Westminster Bruins.

Season-by-season results

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

SeasonGPWLTOTLGFGAPointsFinishPlayoffs
1966–675633185—273197712nd WCHLLost semi-final
1967–686045132—262169902nd WCHLWon Championship
1968–696040280—294195802nd WCHL EastLost semi-final
1969–706028311—237255572nd WCHL EastLost quarter-final
1970–716641205—283201871st WCHL EastLost quarter-final

The modern Estevan Bruins

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 won the SJHL championship in 1985, 1999 and 2022.[3]

Radio station CKSE-FM (Rock 106) broadcasts Bruins games. DiscoverEstevan.com covers the team on a daily basis. The team is also covered in print on a weekly basis by the Estevan Mercury and Estevan Lifestyles.

Season-by-season results

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

SeasonGPWLTOTLGFGAPointsFinishPlayoffs
1971–724626200—227184405th SJHL
1972–734834140—243163682nd SJHL South
1973–745034142—233150701st SJHL
1974–755841170—302202822nd SJHL
1975–765829281—300291593rd SJHL South
1976–776020400—237358405th SJHL South
1977–786032262—309265663rd SJHL South
1978–796014451—211339296th SJHL South
1979–806034260—318273682nd SJHL SouthLost 2nd round
1980–816034242—326272702nd SJHL SouthDid not qualify
1981–826017403—246332375th SJHL SouthDid not qualify
1982–836423410—294353467th SJHLLost 1st round
1983–846430331—301341616th SJHLLost 1st round
1984–856444182—382275902nd SJHLWon League, won Anavet Cup
1985–866047112—461242962nd SJHL
1986–876425363—301340536th SJHLLost 1st round
1987–886029292—289305605th SJHL
1988–896430331—347357614th SJHL South
1989–906830308—239261683rd SJHL SouthLost 1st round
1990–916826375—260330575th SJHL SouthDid not qualify
1991–926445163—328224941st SJHLLost final
1992–936432262—256232703rd SJHL SouthLost semi-final
1993–946827329—245252634th SJHL SouthLost 1st round
1994–956429296—259271644th SJHL SouthLost quarter-final
1995–966438179—273202852nd SJHL SouthLost semi-final
1996–976419378—230282465th SJHL SouthLost quarter-final
1997–986428297—220234633rd SJHL SouthLost quarter-final
1998–996644148—288191961st SJHLWon League, won Anavet Cup
1999–006020328—190246485th SJHL SouthLost quarter-final
2000–0162203831225299446th SJHL SouthDid not qualify
2001–0264292546243259683rd SJHL SherwoodLost quarter-final
2002–0360193254212262475th SJHL SherwoodDid not qualify
2003–0460212388188209585th SJHL SherwoodDid not qualify
2004–0555341461195143751st SJHLLost semi-final
2005–0655133633140223326th SJHL SherwoodDid not qualify
2006–0758312106203203681st SJHL SherwoodLost quarter-final
2007–08582925—4197184624th SJHL SherwoodLost Survivor Series
2008–09562425—7203185555th SJHL SherwoodLost Survivor Series
2009–10581836—4160209406th SJHL SherwoodDid not qualify
2010–11582923—6228229647th SJHLLost quarter-final
2011–12582828—2208211589th SJHLLost quarter-final
2012–1354212940153199469th SJHLLost quarter-final
2013–1456272036164173633 of 4 Viterra Div
6th SJHL		Lost quarter-final
2014–15562227—7146203513 of 4 Viterra Div
10th of 12 SJHL		Lost Wild Card, 2–3 (North Stars)
2015–1658352003231203732 of 4 Viterra Div
5th of 12 SJHL		Lost quarterfinals, 2–4 (Hawks)
Western Canada Cup as Hosts
2016–1758371821225201771 of 4 Viterra Div
4th of 12 SJHL		Won quarterfinals, 4–1 (Terriers)
Lost semifinals 0–4 (North Stars)
2017–1858341932239184731 of 4 Viterra Div
4th of 12 SJHL		Won quarterfinals 4–0 (Klippers)
Won semifinals 4–1 (North Stars)
Lost SJHL Finals 3–4 (Hawks)
2018–1958312232210171671 of 4 Viterra Div
7th of 12 SJHL		Won quarterfinals 4–3 (Broncos)
Lost semifinals 2-4 (Mustangs)
2019–2058312331211192662 of 4 Viterra Div
6th of 12 SJHL		Down in Quarterfinals 3–1 (Mustangs)
Playoffs cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic
2020–216411026199SJHL season cancelled March 23, 2021 due to COVID-19 pandemic
2021-2258431023262124911 of 4 Viterra Div
1st of 12 SJHL		Won quarterfinals 4–1 (Hounds)
Won semifinals 4–0 (Terriers)
Won SJHL 4-3 (Bombers)
2022-2356282332187186611 of 4 Viterra Div
6th of 12 SJHL		Lost quarterfinals 4–3 (Bombers)

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
  • 2015
Survivor Series Battlefords North Stars defeated Estevan Bruins 3 games to 2
  • 2016
Quarter-final Nipawin Hawks defeated Estevan Bruins 4 games to 2
  • 2017
Semi-final Estevan Bruins defeated Yorkton Terriers 4 games to 1
Quarter-final Battlefords North Stars defeated Estevan Bruins 4 games to 0
  • 2018
Quarter-final Estevan Bruins defeated Kindersley Klippers 4 games to 0
Semi-final Estevan Bruins defeated Battlefords North Stars 4 games to 1
Final Nipawin Hawks defeated Estevan Bruins 4 games to 3
  • 2019
Quarter-final Estevan Bruins defeated Humboldt Broncos 4 games to 3
Quarter-final Melfort Mustangs defeated Estevan Bruins 4 games to 2
  • 2020
Quarter-final Melfort Mustangs leading Estevan Bruins 3 games to 1
Playoffs cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic
  • 2021 Season cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic
  • 2022
Quarter-final Estevan Bruins defeated Notre Dame Hounds 4 games to 1
Semi-final Estevan Bruins defeated Yorkton Terriers 4 games to 0
Final Estevan Bruins defeated Flin Flon Bombers 4 games to 3 SJHL CHAMPIONS
  • 2023
Quarter-final Flin Flon Bombers defeated Estevan Bruins 4 games to 3

Western Canada Cup

Western Canada Championships ** BCHL — AJHL — SJHL — MJHL — Host **
Round-robin play with 1st vs 2nd – winner advance to National Championship and loser to runner-up game
3rd vs 4th in a second semifinal with winner to runner-up game.
Runner-up game determines second representative to National Championship.
Competition began 2013 season.

YearRound-robinRecordStandingSemifinalChampionship gameRunner-up game
2016L, West Kelowna Warriors 0–3
L, Portage Terriers 2–3
L, Melfort Mustangs 1–2
L, Brooks Bandits 4–6		0–4–05th of 5did not advance

See also

References
  1. "Bruin History". www.estevanbruins.com. Retrieved September 25, 2023.
  2. "WHL Network". Retrieved March 19, 2020.
  3. "Bruins Become the Champions". www.estevanbruins.com. May 8, 2022. Retrieved October 26, 2023.
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