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Last weekend, the Bisons men's hockey team opened the Canada West campaign 2-0 for the first time under third-year head coach Gordon Burnett, defeating Regina 2-1 and 4-3 on the road. Eleven different players recorded a point over the two games, including a number of impact recruits.
In the off-season Burnett brought in 12 new players, many of whom are local, plying their trade across the country for various teams at the Junior A and pro levels. One of those standouts was defenceman
Luke Brenton, who played 72 games at the pro level in the ECHL last season for the Indy Fuel.
The 6'4", 211-pound Winnipeg native – also a WHL champion with Moose Jaw – made an immediate impact for the Bisons, recording a point on all four goals the Herd scored in Saturday's rematch.
Defensively, he added big-time size for Manitoba, making an impact on both ends of the ice, like he has his whole career. With the Fuel, he recorded 17 points, the same total he had in 2023-24 when the Warriors won their first-ever Ed Chynoweth Cup.
"Because of his professional experience, he has a professional mentality. He understands the importance of preparing, taking care of your body and understanding what we're doing and the changes that are made week to week and practicing hard," said Burnett.
"Winning a championship in the WHL, he understands the importance of being a good teammate and team comradery and how that contributes to winning at that level. It's a hard trophy to win, arguably one of the hardest."
Burnett and Brenton's relationship goes way back. He got a glimpse into the latter's game when he was called up as an under aged player for the Warriors in 2019-20. The following year, Burnett joined Moose Jaw's staff, coaching Brenton and company for the next three seasons. Along the way, the team advanced to the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals in 2022 and 2023.
"He was a big, strong guy and you could see that he loved the game and loved to compete. I thought there was a lot to work with. Fortunately for the both of us we both decided to go to Moose Jaw the following year and I got to work with him as a young 17-year-old in the COVID year in the hub," recalled Burnett.
"It was an interesting development process. Lucas was able to embrace the stuff we were trying to teach, culminating in a WHL Championship with that group of kids. It was fun to watch."
Brenton appreciated the lessons learned and the bond he formed with Burnett. Last season, he went pro, but the pair stayed in touch. With WHL scholarship money available, and the need for strong, experienced defenceman, the move to Manitoba made sense.
"It was a lot to do with Gord. I was in the states last year playing professional hockey. I had a big decision to make coming into this year. It was either go back and forfeit some of the school money I made playing in the Western Hockey League, or come and get my degree and set up my future and my life and mature a little bit. I decided to go down that route. I think it was a really good decision," Brenton said.
"[Burnett] can be hard on me sometimes, but I love him to death. He's also a great figure in my life who I look to for advice. He's there to help me get better not only as a person but as a player, so I really respect that."
Known for his shutdown abilities on blue line, Brenton has added some offensive flair to his game with the Herd. He's a key contributor on Manitoba's second power play unit, which scored twice last weekend, surpassing their goal total from all of last year.
"My identity and how I've always played is being a big, strong d man who can skate and can really defend. Coming here, it's really helped open up the offensive side of my game, and some of that untapped potential," Brenton said.
"Gord has really helped me grow that side of my game so I can be a two-way player here and focus on building that side of my game. Hopefully I can take that back if I do decide to play professionally."
"That's somewhere he can develop his game. We had an opening for someone to step in [on the power play]. It's not a position he's played much over the last couple years of his career, but it's an opportunity for him to develop and for us to have more success than we did last year with our second unit," added Burnett.
"Last year our second unit had one goal. We have two already this year. Having two options that can hurt you on the power play is critical to success. Special teams is such a big factor in this league."
This weekend Manitoba welcomes Calgary to town for their home opening weekend. The Dinos are one of the bigger teams in the conference, and Brenton will be relied upon once more.
"It's been a process to become the player I am today. It's every day coming in and working on my game and my habits and my details and figuring out what I'm good at out there and what my strengths and weaknesses are. Last year, playing against men who do this for a living, it really helped my development and made me a better player."
