The McKechney clan has a storied hockey history with the Estevan Bruins, but the youngest member of the family has strayed from the script.
Calgary's Josh McKechney, whose family is originally from Bienfait, is a rookie forward with the AJHL Gas Drive Cup champion Brooks Bandits that are competing in Estevan at the Crescent Point Energy Western Canada Cup (WCC). Josh's father Rob suited up for the Bruins during the 1981-82 season, his uncle Sterling played with the Black and Gold in the late 70's and his grandfather Gary coached the Bruins from the 1971-72 season to the 1974-75 season and again from 1977-78 to 1981-82.
“He's a position player, defends and all that,” said Gary. “I think he's all right. He's got lots to learn like everybody does, but with the Brooks team they've got about 16 kids who have signed letters of intent with American universities and Josh has already signed one with Colgate (University) out of New York City.”
While a member of the Calgary-based Edge School Mountaineers, Josh attended a Bruins spring camp in 2014. He instead decided to accept an offer from the Bandits and played his first two games with the club last season notching a goal and an assist. In 59 games with the team this year, Josh tallied 17 goals and 47 points.
“It's been going great,” said Josh, noting his dad had a major influence on his development as a player. “We did pretty well during the regular season there. We obviously won the AJHL championship, which was great. We're hoping to just continue it on to Westerns and hopefully even further.”
Josh said his father and grandfather have been attending all their games at the WCC to cheer him and his team on, but he'll wait and see if that continues on Thursday when the Bandits face the Bruins.
“It'll be interesting,” he said. “Hopefully my dad and grandpa cheer for us instead of them, but I wouldn't blame them for cheering for the Bruins.”
