With the SJHL Regular season just a few days away, the Estevan Bruins have shored up their short and long-term goaltending plans with a trade from Nipawin. The Bruins have acquired goaltender Jake Anthony for a player development fee and an exchange of draft picks.

The Grande Prairie, Alberta native won 20 games for the Hawks last year despite making just 32 appearances. He lost only three regulation games. Anthony also posted an impressive .929 save percentage and a miniscule 1.94 GAA, both of which led the league. 

Estevan Bruins head coach and GM Chris Lewgood knows what kind of goaltender the Bruins are getting in Anthony. After all, he was on the receiving end of some othe 19-year-old's stellar play last year. 

"We were unlucky enough to have seen him first hand," Lewgood said. "Last year we played really well against him but he only allowed one goal. At the end of the day he's likely the best 19-year-old goalie in the SJHL."

"The numbers speak for themselves," he said. "As an 18-year old he had the best save percentage and goals against average in the SJHL. It's a little diluted by the fact that he played behind such a good defensive team. But you can't be that dominant statistically without having something there."  

In his only start against Estevan, Anthony earned a 2-1 win while making 20 saves on 21 shots, including a penalty shot by Matthew Chekay. He also appeared in relief in game six of the SJHL finals in Estevan and did not allow any goals.

Anthony's success came on a Nipawin Hawks team that was admittedly one of the best in the league in their own zone. But with three 20-year-olds on the back end, the Bruins are confident in their own defensive structure, and just as confident in Anthony.

"I don't think Jake's abilities would be a concern for any team in this league," said Lewgood. "He's known to be one of the top goaltenders in the SJHL. There's no concern there at all."

With four goaltenders now in camp, the crease is suddenly a lot more crowded in Estevan. The Bruins final exhibition game comes on Monday night against Minot.

"I think some of that will start to shake out really soon," Lewgood said. "We'll be down to at least three goalies by the weekend."

Estevan opens the season on Friday, September 14, against Melville.