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It’s just after 4 pm on a Tuesday, and despite a busy day on the ice and in the classroom, men’s hockey forwards Caden Zaplitny and Skyler Bruce are smiling ear to ear, spreading joy and creating conversation as they stroll into the Bison Sports offices for an interview. It’s business as usual for the pair of Manitoba natives, both of whom approach each day with the same enthusiasm as the last. 

Their conviction and work ethic has led to success on the ice at every level they’ve played, and in the community, their positivity has left a lasting impact on those around them. 

Since joining the Bisons two years ago from the WHL, the duo – who played on a line together in their rookie year – have contributed 64 total points in 77 combined games played. 

Their teamwork extends to the workforce, where the pair give their time as respite workers, providing supervision, overnight care, social engagement and general support to two individuals with disabilities (respite workers who register in advance can receive free Bisons tickets. Click here for more info).

“I started working there this summer. They love going to the YMCA, working out. That’s something that we do pretty much every day with them,” smiled Zaplitny. 

“If I have hockey, I’m bringing them along. They’re hanging out with the guys, and watching us when we’re on the ice. They love it. They’re hockey fans for sure. It’s been a great experience for me. It was incredible how accepting everyone was. They all interacted with them so well, and obviously Skyler was one of those guys that really took a liking to them."

“I started late in the summer. I had a blast with them. It doesn’t even seem like work,” added Bruce.

“You’re living your day with two great people who love to be around you. Automatically you’re having a great day regardless. Even if you’re having a bad day, it’s a lot easier to have a good day with them around, because immediately they’re lighting up the room with anyone. Seeing Zapper, I looked up to that, because it is a lot of work sometimes. But I respected Zapper for doing that. I wanted to get into that. You learn a different type of gratefulness in life, and you learn new skills for life.”

‘I want to be a good teammate’

Patience, determination, communication, empathy and teamwork are all traits necessary for the work the pair of Bisons do. That translates to the ice, where both players have stayed persistent, growing in their games en route to the U SPORTS level. 

Bruce was a highly-touted scorer growing up, combining for 175 points between the U14-16 levels, including 93 goals. He was never the biggest player on the roster, using his speed and instincts instead to make plays. 

As he progressed to the WHL with the Winnipeg Ice beginning in 2020-21, Bruce’s role changed. With the likes of future NHLers such as Matthew Savoie, Zach Benson and Conor Geekie, (among others) on the roster, Bruce’s role became that of a bottom six forward who needed to capitalize on his minutes, or risk losing playing time. 

Embracing his assignment, Bruce continued to work hard, amassing 59 points between the 2021-22 and 2022-23 seasons, with the Ice posting the best regular season record in the former while advancing to the conference finals.

“If you look at that roster, you see Savoie, Geekie, all these guys in the NHL, AHL, playing NCAA D1 now. I thought I was good, but you really have to earn your role in anything. That was a great lesson my mom and dad taught me when I was young. No matter how good you think you are, you still have to work hard,” Bruce noted. 

“I value work ethic, and wanting to play at the best of my ability, and work as hard as I can. It’s a good value for me to have, and to vault that to my teammates, because I want to be a good teammate as well.”

Zaplitny can relate to Bruce’s sentiments. Undrafted at the WHL level, he worked his tail off in the MJHL with the Winnipeg Blues, remaining on the radar of the Everett Silvertips, who invited him to their camp when he was 15 and retained his rights afterwards. 

Just before Christmas in 2021, he got a WHL call-up and was a constant for the team for the following two seasons, playing in over 100 career games for Everett while recording 58 combined points. 

“It was unbelievable. I could tell how good the organization was and how professional it all was. I went there for the two weeks, and came back and I was just supposed to go there for another week, and at the end of the week the coach ended up liking me enough to keep me for the rest of the year. I was ecstatic about that,” reflected Zaplitny. 

“There was always so much talent in Everett. It was crazy. We finished first in our conference [in 2021-22], unfortunately we didn’t do so hot in the playoffs. We had the high-end guys and we were just a really deep team. When I was there, I think it was the 20th year of them being a team, and they had made the playoffs every year. Just having that consistency I think is really connected to having that identity of being a hard, physical team that does the small things right.”

Learning under veteran head coach Dennis Williams – while playing alongside countless future NHLers – helped Zaplitny develop. He remained humble, doing what was asked of him while playing in multiple positions.

“I’ve never been the most skilled guy, but I can play to a role. I kind of squeaked into the lineup on the fourth line, and I was able to do those simple things and eventually work my way up a bit. I’ve always played centre and wing, whatever the coach needs I’ll do it.”

‘We have fun together’

Transitioning to the Bisons, Bruce and Zaplitny’s games have complemented each other well. A reliable two-way player, the latter’s helped generate chances for the former, especially in year one. 

As a rookie, Bruce led the Bisons in points, with 31, and his 14 points in 15 games this season is tops on the roster once again. As a team, Manitoba has increased their points total in each season under third-year head coach Gordon Burnett, and they’re just six shy of doing so again in 2025-26, with 13 thus far. 

“I think a big one was confidence. In Winnipeg, I was a bottom six guy. I had to play that role. I wasn’t used to that growing up. As I shifted into Vancouver and Edmonton [in the WHL in 2023-24] I started to pick up that confidence, but it wasn’t fully there. When I was with the Bisons, I felt at home,” Bruce said. 

“This is where I’m meant to be. I can play the game I’m meant to play and I have guys with me, by my side that support the game I want to play, and that’s that skilled, fast hockey that I’ve longed for. I had a lot of support from the guys on the team and from Gord to be confident. To play my game.”

“It’s all about the guys that you bring in,” added Zaplitny.