AUSTIN, Minn. – On the eve of Thursday’s trade deadline in the NAHL, Austin Bruins Head Coach/GM Steve Howard was busy at work finalizing his roster for a Robertson Cup Playoff Run.
In the first of two separate moves, the Bruins acquired forward Kyle Oleksiuk from Maryland in exchange for other considerations. Oleksiuk, 19, began his NAHL career in 2018-19 playing in the Central Division with the Minot Minotauros. After registering 19 points in 33 games with Minot, Oleksiuk was dealt to Maryland halfway through the season where he remained until Thursday’s deal with the Bruins. With Maryland over parts of those two seasons, Oleksiuk racked up 26 total points (8G, 18A) in 47 games played. In exchange for Oleksiuk, the Bruins offered up other considerations to the Black Bears.
To make room on the roster for another forward, the Bruins made a secondary move sending Kevin Gabor to Odessa for other considerations. In his rookie season in juniors, Gabor played in 31 games for the Bruins where he scored four goals and added four assists. The trade with Odessa marks the second consecutive season that the Bruins and Jackalopes made a deadline deal, following last year’s trade which brought Jared Christy and Kyle Herbster to Austin in exchange for Joe Winkelmann.
The Bruins are back in action this Saturday night, February 8th for Paint the Rink Pink. Easily the most important home game of the season, Paint the Rink Pink will see the town of Austin rally together not only to cheer on the Bruins but to raise money to find a cure for cancer. Tickets for Paint the Rink Pink are on sale now and selling fast. To get your tickets, stop by any one of the Bruins vendors including Games People Play, Hy-Vee, Holiday Inn, or Jim’s Marketplace.
