STAFF
Jason Tatarnic – Head Coach | General Manager
Jason Tatarnic has joined the Estevan Bruins as the Head Coach & General Manager, taking on the role for the 2020/21 season.
Prior to joining the Bruins as a Head Coach & General Manager, Tatarnic has compiled a 470-172-14-16 record and was considered one of the top coaches in the country. Under his leadership and guidance his teams have won league championships, regional championships and as a General Manager, Tatarnic built a national championship team in 2017-2018 with the Chilliwack Chiefs. Tatarnic also has experience on the international stage as the Head Coach of Team Atlantic at the World U-17 Championships.
Contact Info
Email: gm@estevanbruins.com
Drew Kocur – Assistant Coach | Assistant General Manager | Director of Sales
Drew Kocur joins the Estevan Bruins coaching staff following a decorated coaching stint in the PJHL.
Growing up in Regina, Kocur joined the U18AAA’s Saskatoon Blazers before beginning his Junior playing career. After a short stint with the Humboldt Broncos of the SJHL & the Neepawa Natives of the MJHL, Drew suited up for the Regina Silver Foxes of the PJHL. With the Silver Foxes, Kocur was named the first captain in team history and, to this day, remains the club’s all time leading scorer.
Following his playing days, Drew spent five years behind the bench for the Pilot Butte Storm of the PJHL, becoming Head Coach and Director of Player Personnel the past two seasons. In those two years, Kocur led the Storm to back to back appearances in the league final, winning a championship in 2023. It was the teams first championship since 2012.
In a banner 2022-23 season that saw the team claim the second of back-to-back Bill Johnston division titles in addition to the provincial championship, Kocur was named PJHL coach of the year as well as named as head coach in the PJHL all star game.
In addition to coaching duties, Drew runs a very successful skills and conditioning program for promising hockey prospects and has been the coach of Team Saskatchewan at the annual Brick Invitational tournament, a top hockey tournament in North America for the top 10U players.
Email: assistantcoach@estevanbruins.com
Phone: 306-421-8287
Aren Miller – Assistant Coach
Aren Miller has served as an Assistant Coach for the Estevan Bruins since the beginning of the 2013/14 season.
The product of Oxbow, SK was drafted 52nd overall in the 1996 NHL Entry Draft by the Detroit Red Wings. He played junior hockey for the Spokane Chiefs for three seasons before moving on to his professional career where he made stops with the Adirondack Red Wings, Cincinnati Mighty Ducks and Oklahoma City Blazers before retiring from professional hockey in 2003.
Miller splits his time coaching the Bruins along with his role as Head Coach of the AA Bantam team in Estevan. He works full-time with Baker Hughes GE in Estevan.
Email: Aren.Miller@bakerhughes.com
Tannis Harrison – Office Manager | Trainer
Tannis has been an avid supporter of the local hockey community for years. Hailing from the Yorkton area, she grew up watching hockey. When she moved to Estevan to be with her husband, she already knew that she would be involved with the local hockey team.
She has been with the team since September of 2021. After the championship season she wanted to be with the team full time so she became the new Office Administrator. By day she is a in the office running the books, but by night she travels with the team and her medical skills are always an asset, especially when the boys get rough. She takes care of them and make sure they are healthy to play.
Email: info@estevanbruins.com
Phone: (306) 634-7730
Melissa Deitz & Robert Godfrey – Directors of Game Day Operations
Melissa Deitz and Robert Godfrey of Lemon Wedge Marketing Group are excited to be working with the Estevan Bruins to lead the team’s marketing and game day operations.
We have over 30 years of service combined in the advertising, marketing, branding, and sales industries. This partnered with a passion for new technology and helping businesses grow is our recipe for success!
Phone #: (306) 634-7730 Cell #: (306) 471-9117
Email: operations@estevanbruins.com
Sara Goldrup – Community Liaison
As our Community Liaison, Sara Goldrup is responsible for coordinating community partnerships with our players. From school visits, to volunteer opportunities, and more, Sara helps our players become an important part of our community! If you would like to set up a community event with the Estevan Bruins, you can contact Sara using the details below.
Email: communityliaison@estevanbruins.com
Phone #: (306) 634-7730
Kaila Jutras – Education Liaison
Kaila was born and raised in Estevan SK. She grew up playing minor hockey and graduated from Estevan Comprehensive School in 2004. Kaila attended Minot State University where she played ACHA hockey and was on the MSU golf team. She graduated in 2009 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Education and is currently completing her Master’s Degree in Special Education.
Kaila looks forward to continuing to support our players in their academic journeys and to help them achieve success as future student athletes.
Email: educator@estevanbruins.com
Jordon Blanchette – Equipment Manager
Jordon Blanchette has been an avid supporter of the Estevan Bruins for years. In 2016 he opened his own sports and equipment store called “Blanny’s Gear” at the Affinity Place Arena.
Jordon has been playing hockey since he as five years old, and is very active in the hockey community as both of his children are starting to play as well.
Jordon has always helped the Bruins and when the position for Equipment Trainer became available, Jordon Graciously accepted. He took the position in 2021, and will remain with the team for the foreseeable future.
Dr. Trevor Erdie – Team Chiropractor
Dr. Erdie has lived and practiced in Estevan since 2014. He started working with the Bruins during the 2015-16 season.
Dr. Erdie enjoys working with the Bruins staff and players to make sure the team stays healthy and are performing their best.
MEET THE EXECUTIVE
The Estevan Bruins Jr. A Hockey Club is governed by a group of volunteers that make up our ‘Executive’.
President: Riley Tetreault
Vice-President: Andrew Tait
Past President: Josh Biggs
Governor: Aaron Ludwig
Treasurer: Lauren Larter
Executive Members: Amanda Wanner, Jon Park, Paul Carroll
Estevan City Council Liaison: Tony Sernick
EMHA Representative: Stephen Truman
Estevan Bears U18 AAA Representative: Garrett Lasko
MEET THE SCOUTING STAFF
Todd Ripplinger – Head Scout
Todd has played an integral part in the Bruins success. Todd plays a major role in identifying free agents and players who are eligible for the SJHL draft. Todd also serves as the Head Scout for the Moose Jaw Warriors in the Western Hockey League. Todd has been a scout in the WHL since 1992.
Dustin Wlaz – Scout and Director of Player Personnel
Dustin plays a major role in identifying free agents and players who are eligible for the SJHL draft. Dustin is the director for all of our identification camps in the Spring and Fall. Dustin also serves as a scout for the Medicine Hat Tigers in the Western Hockey League.
Kyle Mryglod – Regional Scout
Kyle joined the Bruins scouting staff in 2023 and his main responsibility is to identify players in the Southeast corner for our draft and our identification camps.
