Pighin picks up two helpers in debut with Bruins

by Eric Welsh - The Progress

November 9, 2007

Evan Pighin had just one practice under his belt before he made his debut with the Chilliwack Bruins at Prospera Centre Tuesday night.

But apparently, that was more than enough time for the newest Bruin to learn his first lesson — you can’t go wrong giving the puck to No. 28.

The Bruins beat the Prince George Cougars 4-2, and Pighin picked up his first point in a Chilliwack uniform. It was the easiest assist he’ll ever record — Oscar Moller’s spectacular end-to-end solo rush could be traced back to a Pighin pass deep in the Bruins end of the rink.

“He can sure shoot the puck,” Pighin said of his talented new linemate. “That rush was amazing to watch. He can obviously do great things and it’s an honour to play with him.”

Pighin picked up a second assist on Moller’s second goal later in the game. Colby Kulhanek and Mark Santorelli also scored for the Bruins in the win.

Pighin probably had to pinch himself a few times during the game to make sure he wasn’t dreaming. As if it isn’t enough to play with Moller, he also had Western Hockey League scoring leader Mark Santorelli in tow.

“We were together in the pre-game skate, trying to get our timing down,” Pighin said. “They make it easy for me out there. If I work hard I know good things will happen.”

Good things have been happening for the 19-year-old Vancouver native all year. Pighin turned down a training camp invite from the Bruins in September, choosing instead to go back to the BCHL with the Salmon Arm Silverbacks.

He’d played 66 regular-season games with the Interior division squad from 2004-06 before jumping to the WHL’s Red Deer Rebels.

“I did a lot of thinking over the summer and I really liked Salmon Arm,” Pighin said, explaining his decision to turn down the Bruins three months ago. “I was pretty tempted to come to Chilliwack, but I’d given Gary and Ty Davidson my word that I’d play for Salmon Arm if I was available.”

The loyalty to Salmon Arm’s coach (Ty) and general manager (Gary) is why Pighin went back, but when the Silverbacks turfed both Davidsons in an organizational shakeup last week, all bets were off.

“When they left, it became a pretty easy decision to come here,” Pighin said. “I made a commitment to them, and once they left, there wasn’t anything else to keep me in Salmon Arm.

Bruins general manager Darrell May was so keen to get the talented winger that he hopped in his car and drove all the way up to Salmon Arm to get him.

“It felt pretty good,” Pighin said. “It shows that they really want me here and I can’t ask for much more than that.”

Pighin was tearing up the BCHL at the time of his departure, leading the league with 24 goals and 42 points in just 21 games.

“He’s certainly showed some good offensive instincts,” May said of his newest acquisition. “He’s got great numbers in the BCHL and obviously you don’t do that unless you have some talent. We’ve been trying lots of guys out with Oscar and Mark and we feel Evan may be the best fit to complement those two.”

Pighin represents another of May’s low risk, high reward moves. May rescued Brandon Campos off the waiver wire scrap heap and he’s risen to seventh in league scoring.

Pighin had just three goals in 68 games with the Rebels last season, but May believes he’s another kid who just needs an opportunity.

“His confidence may have suffered last year,” May noted. “He didn’t see the ice time or situations he needed in Red Deer. But I watched him play bantam hockey and I know he has ability. He just needed to believe he could do it, and I think he got that back in the BCHL.”

Playing with Moller and Santorelli will do wonders for any kid’s confidence. Seeing power play time will help as well.

May is committed to building the Bruins through the bantam draft, but if he can hit on a hidden gem like Campos once in a while, it helps.

“As an expansion team we have to look everywhere,” May said. “Junior A. Midget. We’ll look behind every bush to see what we can find because there are 22 teams looking for guys and you have to do your due diligence to remain competitive.”

Chilliwack fans can get another look at Pighin tonight when the Bruins host the Eastern Conference Red Deer Rebels. Game time at Prospera Centre is 7 p.m.