Bruce Enjoying the Experience
April 11, 2021 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Winnipeg Ice News Release
It doesn't matter if it's teaming up to get the chores done around the house, working together with friends to get that project completed for school, or combining to win a hockey game there's something special about joining forces with others to reach a goal.
For the Winnipeg ICE, and rookie forward Skyler Bruce, being there for each other plays a big part in making good things happen on the ice.
So much so that the team made mental health, mental skills, and team-building a priority - via Zoom sessions earlier in the pandemic - and as it competes in the Subway East Division Hub here in Regina.
And it's that work that's part of the story behind Winnipeg's 11-4-0-0 start in Saskatchewan.
"I think living in the bubble with a bunch of guys, coming together was also a big thing for us," said Bruce referring to the time spent on mental preparation and bonding as a group. "Working hard, and living with guys, getting to know them better - when you create that relationship with each and every guy you want to fight for them even harder during the games."
While the ICE have won five-in-a-row for the second time this season, it hasn't come easy. Every game comes with its challenges and each player faces ups-and-downs.
So what's the game-plan for overcoming the inevitable?
"I feel like everybody's going to face adversity sometime, and we've all got to stay positive," said Skyler via phone from his University of Regina dorm room. "That was one of the goals that we ended up having for our team was staying positive and sticking to our system, just trying to focus on our game, not get too carried away with distractions."
LEARNING TAKES TIME
With team success often comes individual success.
While the ICE are on a five-game winning run, Bruce has fashioned a career-best five-game point streak.
It's an impressive spell for the 2018 second round pick of the ICE, and makes plenty of sense given Bruce's track record of production with the Northern Alberta X-Treme and The Rink Hockey Academy.
But, numbers don't come in the WHL just because they've come at other levels on the way up, something Skyler has come to terms with and been able to work through.
"Patience has been really huge for me and I think it can be huge for almost every guy. For many guys they expect to come in hot, and it just takes some time. I feel like, you just have to have patience, "said Bruce while also crediting the work of the people he's played with. "You've got to be confident in yourself, and you can't get down on yourself. You just have to stay positive and stay motivated. Good things are going to come if you have patience."
When pressed to talk about his personal progress, Skyler instead opted to focus on the bigger picture.
"It feels pretty good. But honestly, just winning at the end of the day feels unreal with the guys - just doing anything I can to help the team win. And, if we get that win at the end of the day it just feels great."
COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS
Community brings us together and can lift us up.
The ICE have formed a healthy community as a team, and players like Skyler also belong to other communities.
One example is the connection Bruce feels to the team he skated with before joining the ICE, the Northern Alberta X-Treme.
Former teammates Caleb Wyrostock, Swift Current, and Nate Danielson, Brandon, are now WHL'ers too and both are competing in the Regina Hub - something Bruce is enjoying and feeding off of too.
"It's awesome seeing them out there. Those are two of my really good buddies I played with, and it's just - we always get a good laugh- or get a good smile at each other during the games. I feel like it's even more motivating to see those guys out there just because you want to work hard, you want to beat them in those puck battles, you want to light them up and text them later. Let them know. It's fun, but it's also motivating."
Unfortunately, the pandemic has prevented the ICE from playing in front of the faithful at the ICE Cave, which means Skyler isn't getting to chase his dreams in his hometown.
But, the St. Boniface-product fondly remembers getting a taste of that environment last season during his introduction to the league.
"It's amazing. I don't have many words to say it, but it's awesome. I just love seeing my family, and friends, there and playing for my hometown is always a dream of mine. It's just so cool to have fans who support you and have family and friends there at every game cheering you on. It's just a really good feeling."
Kind of like the feeling that comes along with teaming up with your buddies to get things done.
Western Hockey League Stories from April 11, 2021
- Penalties Doom Americans in 3-2 Loss to Thunderbirds - Tri-City Americans
- Broncos Drop Tight, Physical Game to Raiders - Swift Current Broncos
- T-Birds Power Past Americans - Seattle Thunderbirds
- Raiders Score Three in Third to Double Up Broncos - Prince Albert Raiders
- Royals Drop Close Game to First Place Blazers - Victoria Royals
- Bruce Enjoying the Experience - Winnipeg Ice
- Western Hockey League Statement on COVID-19 Testing Results - WHL
- Americans Look for Weekend Sweep as They Take on Seattle Thunderbirds - Tri-City Americans
- Giants Winning Streak Snapped After 6-3 Loss to Prince George - Vancouver Giants
- Game Preview: Blades at Wheat Kings - Saskatoon Blades
- Vancouver Giants Sign 2004-Born Forward Jaden Lipinski - Vancouver Giants
- Warriors Narrowly Fall to Saskatoon - Moose Jaw Warriors
- Americans Take Down Silvertips in 6-2 Victory - Tri-City Americans
- Cougars Slay Giants - Prince George Cougars
- Robins, MacInnes Lead Blades to 4-2 Victory over Moose Jaw - Saskatoon Blades
- Rebels Have Impressive Start But Fall 5-2 to Hurricanes - Red Deer Rebels
- Americans Shock Silvertips - Everett Silvertips
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