SJHL trade update!

Please Note: This article is courtesy of Mike Stackhouse of sjhl.ca.

It has been a busy day for SJHL teams making trades with MJHL clubs.

In the biggest move of the day, the Estevan Bruins traded 1987 born Guillaume Perusse to the OCN Blizzard for 1987 born defenseman Riley Hughes and future considerations.

Perusse won 30-games for the Bruins last season and was the back-up goalie on the Canada West World Junior 'A' Challenge gold medal winning team. Following an inconsistent playoff performance, the Bruins opted to upgrade their goaltending depth and Head Coach Karry Biette made no bones about the fact Perusse was not happy with his current playing situation. "I had a 20-year-old that wasn't happy with playing time and he felt we owed it to him to play him more. Unfortunately, I didn't see it the same way and this was a must for our dressing room to move him."

This season, Perusse was 4-4-and-2 with a 3.50-GAA and an .891-SPCT while splitting time with Karsten Felske.

In Hughes, the Bruins get a stay-at-home type defenseman who makes a good first pass and should offer some stability on the back end. Hughes' rights were picked up by the Blizzard from Fort McMurray (AJHL) a couple of weeks ago to close off the Carter Chomyn trade from last season.

To fill the void left by the departure of Perusse, the Bruins acquired 1987 born David Ritz from the Melfort Mustangs (along with futures) for 1990 prospect forward Regan Nabseth of the Tisdale Trojans.

Ritz had lost his number one job when Ilia Ejov arrived. Ritz was 5-and-4, 3.74, .857 this season with Melfort. All Ejov has done is go 6-0-0-and-1, 2.26, .907.

In other SJHL-MJHL moves from Tuesday, the Nipawin Hawks have acquired 1988 born forward Keldon Sanderson from OCN for 1989 forward Kent Sauter and future considerations.

Sanderson had scored 4-goals and 1-assist in 9-games with OCN this season. He also had a cup of coffee in La Ronge prior to being moved to the Blizzard. It is expected Sanderson will play tonight (Tuesday) against the Ice Wolves.

Sauter had 2-goals and no assists in 15-games (40-penalty minutes) with the Hawks this year.

And, the Humboldt Broncos moved 1989 born rookie defenseman Thomas Frasz to the Dauphin Kings for 1988 born forward Joel Humphries.

Humphries began last year in Nipawin, but ended up in the PJHL with the Fort Knox to end the year. The resurfaced in Estevan during training camp and dressed in 4-games, compiling 28-penalty minutes (no points). He was dealt to Dauphin last month.

"We have some guys playing roles right now that shouldn't be playing in those roles. Hopefully, Joel can come in and give us a physical presence for us," said Humboldt Head Coach Dean Brockman.

Frasz had no points and 11-penalty minutes in 5-games this season with the Broncos. Frasz is a 6'0", 200 lbs native of Regina SK.