Estevan native and former Bruin Tanner Froese capped off a banner year in the best way possible. The 25-year-old captained St. Norbert College to a Division III NCAA championship on March 24, posting three assists in the win, including the primary helper on the double-overtime winner. 

Froese, who was named an All-American and the tournament's Most Outstanding Player, registered 14 goals and 34 points in 32 games on the year. The ex-Bruins captain wrapped up his college career in style with a championship for St. Norbert.

"It's been a great senior year," Froese said. "I can't imagine having a better last year. It just got better as the years went on, being at St. Norbert where I've grown as a person and grown as a player."

Froese played for the Estevan Bruins from 2011-2014, captaining the team in his final season in the Energy City. In fact, he was the first captain for current head coach and GM Chris Lewgood.

"Tanner was a tremendous leader for us," Lewgood said. "He led by example every day. He competed every time he showed up to the rink, even in the gym he was one of the guys that led for us. No surprise to see that he's had the success he has over at St. Norbert."

Lewgood may not have been surprised by Froese's success, but the Estevan native's recognition as an All-American caught him Froese himself a little off guard.

"I didn't expect it at all," he said. "I'm comletely honoured to get the award, I worked hard for it. It came as a bit of a surprise, but it's definitely exciting."

"It's expected out of me," he added when asked about his clutch play. "I'm a senior captain, I've been here for four years and I've been to the Frozen Four for three of those four years. I just went out there and played my game."

Froese finishes his career at St. Norbert with 92 points in 117 games, and four years worth of memories. The championship will stick in his mind as the best of those memories.  

"I've never won anything this big in my career before," Froese said, "so it's definitely at the top." 

"We couldn't be more proud of what he's accomplished and what he'll continue to accomplish," said Lewgood. "All the credit goes to Tanner for all the work he's done."