A sophomore forward and a rookie defenceman with the Estevan Power Dodge Bruins may have seemed to acquire a quick grasp of where each other are and what their next actions will be on the ice, but that knowledge was actually years in the making.
Bruins centre Kaelan Holt and rearguard Tyler Hengen first joined forces over a decade ago as members of an Estevan Minor Hockey Association novice team. The two local players have moved through the ranks together ever since with the past two seasons marking their only time competing on separate teams.
“We play well when we’re on the ice together,” said Hengen, 19, who has three goals and 14 points through 34 games this season. “We’re always talking to each other out there and have good chemistry with each other for sure. I think that helped by playing with him over the years.”
Holt made his debut with the Bruins last season, tallying seven goals and 27 points in 50 games. The 19-year-old has already surpassed those numbers this season, scoring 20 goals, while also picking up 15 helpers, through 34 games as the club’s number one centre.
Hengen spent last season as a member of the Prairie Junior Hockey League’s Pilot Butte Storm, but the local product also received a short tryout with the hometown club suiting up in two games for the Bruins. The 2014-15 season marked the only time both players had spots on different teams in the same league, with Holt dressing for the Battlefords Stars and Hengen skating with the Moose Jaw Generals in the Saskatchewan Midget AAA Hockey League.
“It was always fun playing against Kaelan because it was always who was going to get the last laugh between us,” said Hengen. “That year I think he did. The series was 3-1.”
Holt said the bond between the two has extended beyond the ice as well with the friends regularly hanging out during the summer months. He said this camaraderie is now showing benefits with the Bruins.
“It’s always easier,” said Holt. “You’ve always got someone to go to the rink with and the gym with. You always know somebody has similar interests and stuff like that, so it’s good.”
Hengen said the Bruins are a major part of his life and he’s thrilled to finally be a member of the squad. He said his dad (Ambrose) played goalie for the team in the late 1970’s and he and Kaelan grew up cheering for the club during their minor hockey days, so to wear a Bruins sweater now is pretty special.
