ESTEVAN — Gunner Moore’s last season in the Saskatchewan Male U18 AAA Hockey League (SMAAAHL) proved to be a memorable one, and he’s not ready for his time in minor hockey to end yet.
A forward for the Estevan Innovex U18 AAA Bears, the Carievale product led the league in scoring with 84 points in 56 games this season. Now he and the Bears are getting ready for the playoffs.
Moore said he knew he had a chance to lead the league in scoring entering this season, as he’s a third-year player.
“I knew I had it in me. Coming into this year, it was a big goal of mine to be one of the top scorers in the league again, and I wanted to do it for my team,” he said.
Moore said he shares the scoring title with his teammates who have supported him and made plays.
“Your teammates are the backbone of your team’s success, so a lot of credit goes out to them,” said Moore.
Finishing tied for second in the scoring race with 76 points was Regina Pat Canadians forward Nathan Gardiner, who is from Gainsborough. The two are close friends, Moore said, as they played together in U9 and U11 hockey in Carievale and U15 AA hockey in Estevan.
“We were a pretty good duo,” said Moore. “We won a couple of championships, he’s one of my close buddies, and he had another great year with Regina. I hope to see him making the Warriors [Moose Jaw Warriors of the Western Hockey League] next year.”
The scoring exploits of the two forwards is a reflection of the strong minor hockey programs in the region, he said.
“We had lots of ice down there when we were little, so we were always able to skate and practice,” said Moore. “It just shows that there is talent out there, and you can always find it.”
The Bears had their strongest season in franchise history at 26-14-2-2, good for 56 points, and are the fifth seed entering the playoffs. Their first-round match-up will be with the Swift Current Legionnaires, who finished fourth, two points ahead of Estevan.
Swift Current won all four match-ups between the two teams during the regular season, but all four games were early in the season, when Estevan started 3-8.
“I think they’re going to be coming out physical. They have some physical players on their team. We just have to match that. But I think we just have to come with our speed. I think we have a good solid forward group and defence group here, and we just have to shut their top players down.”
The Bears had a lot of players new to the league this season, he said, but they were a completely different hockey team since Christmas – faster, more physical and with better execution. He hopes to see lots of fans out for their home games in the playoffs.
The series begins Feb. 28 in Swift Current. Game 2 is March 3 in Estevan at 7:30 p.m., and Game 3 is March 5 in Swift Current. Game 4, if necessary, would be March 7 in Estevan at 7 p.m., and Game 5 would be the following day back in Swift Current.
