Bruins skipper looking like a genius after roster deadline fire sale
By Bruce Fuhr
When Grand Forks head coach and GM Nick Deschenes dealt most of the team assets to contenders prior to the B.C. Hockey roster deadline in mid-January critics pounced on the Bruins skipper like vultures on road kill.
The vultures were even more critical of Deschenes after the Bruins were first pounded 11-0 by Murdoch Division power Castlegar Rebels and 15-zip by the defending Kootenay International Junior Hockey League champion Beaver Valley Nitehawks following the deals.
But Deschenes may have the last laugh as the hard-working Bruins — which ice one of the youngest rosters in the entire league — have been anything but a pushover of late.
Unbelievers need only ask the top two teams in the KIJHL as Castlegar needed a late Jamie Vlanich goal to squeak out a 2-1 win over Grand Forks and Nelson had to rally past Grand Forks for a 4-2 decision Saturday at the NDCC Arena.
“This is a developmental league, and even if it means moving a player within the league, sometimes making a trade allows the player to play more games or play in a better situation which can only further their career,” Deschenes recently told The Nelson Daily.
“I told our players whether it’s Junior A or Junior B, they’re going to get that chance.”
The fire sale started when the 7-35-0-3 Bruins struck a deal with the Nelson Leafs over the Christmas break for Connor Gross, who just happened to be the Bruins leading scorer at the time.
Luke Jones and Connor Kidd followed in another deal with the Creston Valley Thunder Cats.
Deschenes attempted to deal two other Bruins but those players decided to remain with the Bruins.
“For me my job here in Grand Forks is player development,” said Deschenes, who got a late start on recruiting after accepting his current position in August.
“I’m committed to these guys here in this dressing room and want nothing but the best for them.”
The commitment is starting to pay off as, even though Grand Forks is well out of the playoff race, the team has been playing some of its best hockey of the season.
“Whenever your facing adversity there’s always the opportunity to better yourself and this year for us has been one learning experience after another,” Deschenes explained.
“Now we’re severe underdogs in these games so now how do we respond . . . how do we play.”
The Bruins, fifth in the Murdoch Division and long since been eliminated from the post-season, have seven games remaining in the regular season.
Since the roster deadline Deschenes has been able to assess affiliate call-ups as well as allow the remaining Bruins the chance to gain quality ice time filling roles created by the trades.
The strategy appears to be working as the Bruins continue to be a dangerous team to play against down the stretch.
“We’re not in the business to hold guys back and understand there may come certain repercussions,” Deschenes said.
Which is something the vultures can chew on for the remainder of the season.
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