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Carivale’s Kade McMillen commits to play university hockey

The Estevan Bruins have announced that graduating defenceman Kade McMillen of Carievale has committed to play for the Trinity Western University Spartans USports program for the 2021-22 season.
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University Hockey

The Estevan Bruins have announced that graduating defenceman Kade McMillen of Carievale has committed to play for the Trinity Western University Spartans USports program for the 2021-22 season. 

McMillen played three seasons for the Bruins, logging big minutes on the blueline since his rookie year in 2018-19, while stepping into a leadership role, serving as an alternate captain for his final two seasons. 

McMillen was also an offensive threat with 56 points (12 goals, 44 assists) in 113 games played, and was poised to hover around a point per game this year before the SJHL season ended in November. McMillen was also chosen to represent the Bruins at the annual SJHL Showcase in 2019 and 2020, and for a virtual showcase in 2021. 

As a player who grew up in southeast Saskatchewan and played some of his minor hockey in Estevan, McMillen was one of the familiar faces for the Bruins out in the community during his time in Estevan. McMillen donated hundreds of hours to attending community events, appearing at minor hockey practices, signing autographs and chatting with Bruins’ supporters. 

For his efforts, McMillen was named as both the Estevan Bruins RBC Community Ambassador and the SJHL’s RBC Community Ambassador in the 2019-20 season. The recognition also allowed McMillen to choose both the Carnduff Education Complex and Westview School in Estevan as recipients of a $1,000 donation. 

“I’m very excited to further my education and hockey career at Trinity Western University. I cannot wait to be a part of the winning culture for the Spartans,” said McMillen. 

The Spartans, based in Langley, B.C., are coached by Estevan native and former Bruin Barret Kropf. Kropf built the Spartans into a winner in the B.C. Intercollegiate Hockey League, with championships in 2017 and 2018. They are preparing for their first season in USports men’s hockey. 

“Throughout his U18 and junior A career, Kade has been an elite performer at both ends of the ice. He has great leadership bloodlines, with his father being a captain in the WHL for a number of seasons. Kade has displayed that same leadership on and off the ice; and we are looking forward to him adding to our culture here,” said Kropf. 

“We’re very happy to see Kade’s commitment to Trinity Western, who are entering the Canada West Division in USports this season. Kade has the tools to be successful at this level, and this will be a big offseason for him as he enters a very experienced league. Kade has been a big part of our organization on and off the ice, and we will continue to watch his career grow at Trinity Western,” said Bruins head coach and GM Jason Tatarnic. 

With McMillen committing to the Spartans, he’ll join another Bruins’ alumni member in Hayden Guilderson with the Spartans.

McMillen is the first player from the 2020-21 Bruins to commit to a USports or NCAA program this offseason.