The Nipawin Hawks have been busy during their 10 day break off the ice as General Manager Tad Kozun has brought in two new players to the organization.
The team has acquired Aiden Bruce from the Humboldt Broncos for a player development fee. Bruce led the British Columbia Elite Hockey League (BCEHL) U18 AAA scoring last season compiling 35 goals in 36 games played. The 18-year-old had 61 points in total to lead the top minor hockey league in the province. Kozun said the Hawks need offence and feels Bruce can provide a spark.
“We haven’t been able to put the puck in the net as much as we wanted so we think Aiden can come in here and help us with that,” Kozun said of the former Okanagan Rocket. “He’s a guy that’s been known to score and had a real good year in AAA last year. He skates well, he knows how to put the puck in the back of the net, we are really excited to bring him to Nipawin.”
In two seasons of U18 AAA hockey Bruce played 69 regular season games scoring 46 goals and adding 85 points.
Nipawin also added 2005-born blueliner Noah Heinrich from the Fort McMurray Oil Barons of the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL). The Provost, Alta. product suited up in a dozen games for Fort McMurray registering one assist. He had a goal and 10 assists in 43 games last season between Bonnyville and the Oil Barons. Kozun said Heinrich will help the club immediately and into the future.
“We thought we needed a little bit more back there at this time, the nice thing is Noah is a 2005. He can help us now and next year, we are really happy that he can come in. His skating ability and the way he moves pucks will help us back there big time,” Kozun said.
The Hawks expect both Heinrich and Bruce to dress Saturday against the Flin Flon Bombers at home.
You can hear from Kozun below.
