ESTEVAN - The Estevan Bruins announced that defenceman Alex Blanchard will be joining the McGill University Redbirds of Canadian U-Sports after the Christmas break.
“We wish Alex the best of luck in McGill and thank him for his contributions to our team and the community,” the Bruins said in a Facebook post.
Blanchard was third in scoring on the Bruins with 10 goals and 27 points in 36 games. He was also tied for second among SJHL defencemen in points, trailing only teammate Aleksa Babic, who has 28 points this season.
Hailing from Welland, Ont., he had considerable experience playing major junior and junior A hockey in Eastern Canada before coming to Estevan.
“To the community of Estevan, the SJHL and especially my teammates, coaches [Jason] Tatarnic, [Phil] Fife and [Aren] Miller, and the entire Bruins staff: words can't describe how thankful I am for my hockey experience in Estevan,” said Blanchard. I also had the privilege to live and learn from my billet mom Mel [Melodye Pierson] whom I miss daily,” Blanchard said in a Facebook post.
“The opportunity to play for the Bruins opened the door to be asked to join my brother Max and play for the McGill Redbirds and start my university studies in January. I am grateful to be ending my Junior Hockey as a Bruin, with experiences and memories to last a lifetime.
“Thank you again to the Bruins and the community of Estevan for making my time here so special and for the many well wishes I have received this week. Go Bruins Go! With love, Alex Blanchard, No. 7, Estevan Bruins.”
“It was a pleasure for our staff to coach Alex,” said Bruins head coach and general manager Jason Tatarnic. “He was a first-class player and person. We want to wish him all the best at McGill in the second half. Moving players onto the next level is very important to us and Alex will be playing for a great program.”
