This piece is an editorial by Bruins Broadcaster TJ Chillot.
Hey Bruins Fans! As we wrap up this insanely crazy 2020, I wanted to touch base with you all regarding the state of the Bruins roster. There have been plenty of bodies coming and going, and sometimes it’s hard for me to keep track, and it’s my job to know! So for the fans, I figured now was a great time to do another Roster Reset and clue you in on the shake-ups recently.
RETURNED: Garrett Dahm, F, Mercyhurst University
With a year of eligibility left in juniors, Garrett Dahm decided to use it. Instead of getting smaller amounts of ice-time in college as most freshman do, Dahm returned to the Bruins earlier this month and has already made an impact. Through two games with the Bruins, Dahm has one assist which helped the Bruins to a 3-2 victory over Bismarck on December 12. With Dahm’s return, he becomes the Bruins active leader in games played for the black-and-gold with 110, not including an additional 11 games in the playoffs. Behind him are Carson Riddle (107) and Connor Mylymok (79). Dahm is also the Bruins active-leader in career points with 52.
TRADE: John Lundy, F, Amarillo Bulls for Ryan Coughlin, F
When the Corpus Cristi Ice Rays ceased their operations for the 2020-21 season, the Austin Bruins selected Ryan Coughlin in the NAHL’s dispersal draft. Coughlin, 19, was Corpus Cristi’s leading scorer in 2019-02 and began the year in the USHL. After playing in two games for the Omaha Lancers, Coughlin was returned to the NAHL where the Bruins made a trade sending Coughlin to Amarillo in exchange for John Lundy. Lundy, also 19-years-old, met the Bruins in Minot, ND, shortly before the teams weekend series against the Bismarck Bobcats. While in Amarillo, the New York native registered five points in eight games played. In his secong game suiting up for the black-and-gold, Lundy registered his first point on his new team, and he now has six points in ten games played (2G, 4A). As a 2001-born player, Lundy has two years of eligibility in juniors (including the 2020-21 season) and will play his collegiate hockey at UMass-Amherst when his time in juniors comes to an end.
ADDED: Braiden Simmons-Fischer, F, Green Bay Gamblers
Shortly before the Bruins left for their long, 16-day, roadtrip, they added forward Braiden Simmons-Fischer to the mix. Those of you who’ve watched the games on HockeyTV or listened in on Power 96 have heard the name plenty over the last six games, and though Simmons-Fischer feels like a common name at this point, he has yet to play a game in front of the Austin Bruins faithful. At 6-foot-7, Simmons-Fischer is the largest player on the Bruins roster and brings a power-forward type attitude the Austin forward grouping. At 18-years old, Simmons-Fischer began his junior hockey career in the USHL with the Green Bay Gamblers where he played for the entire 2019-20 season and two games to start the 2020-21 season. The son of former NHLer Jiri Fischer, Braiden Simmons-Fischer has played in every game for the Bruins since joining the roster. He is one of three Bruins currently committed to Western Michigan University including Carson Riddle and Barrett Brooks.
ADDED: Max Ruoho, D, Sioux City Musketeers
If you attended the Austin Bruins preseason games against the Sioux City Musketeers, you might recognize this name. Max Ruoho joins the black-and-gold after beginning the year in the USHL but not playing in any regular season games for the Musketeers. In 2019-20, Ruoho competed for the Buffalo Jr. Sabres of the OJHL where he registered a whopping 42 points in 52 games and added four points in six games during the playoffs. The offenseively-minded defenseman is yet another solid piece for the Bruins blue-line which already includes established leaders like Cullen Rush, Travis Shoudy, Frank Dovorany, and Camden Gallagher.
REASSIGNED: Teppei Ueno, F, Rochester Grizzlies
Following five games played with the Bruins this year, forward Teppie Ueno has been assigned to the Rochester Grizzlies of the NA3HL. Ueno, 18, will join fellow countryman Yotaro Nakadate with the Grizzlies and be instantly injected into the lineup. So far Ueno has played two games with the Grizzlies and is still looking for his first points in North America. The Grizzlies are currently first place in the NA3HL Central Division and have one games scheduled this upcoming weekend against the Wausau Riverwolves.
RELEASED: Tyler Fittro, D; Connor Crawford, F; Akhmed Malsagov, F
