Brothers for life: Former Raiders Bilous and Pearce win second championship together

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“Doing it with a team like Flin Flon, playing in their arena then coming back home and winning it in Game 7 is a pretty surreal experience,” he said.

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Boston Bilous. (Submitted photo/Estevan Bruins)

Pearce echoed Bilous sentiments saying winning is why everyone plays the game.

“It was awesone to do again so I was super happy,” Pearce said.

Both players were also a part of the Raiders WHL championship in 2019 but neither played a major role. Bilous was the back up goalie for Ian Scott and Pearce contributed one point in 23 games during the playoffs. Bilous added the championship with the Bruins was different as he was the starting goalie but it was similar in some ways.

“When you win with 20 other kids it’s the best feeling in the world and, honestly, I can’t compare them. They’re honestly a tie. It was amazing winning in P.A. and it was exact same feeling here. It was just great,” Bilous explained.

Anytime you win a championship, Pearce said, is a special feeling.

“That was obviously my goal when I came hear halfway through the season was to win another championship and the SJHL and WHL. It’s pretty cool to be recognized for both,” Pearce explained.

A major similarity for both championship runs is playing in smaller communities they really get involved and invested in their teams, Pearce said.

“Obviously after winning it and how much they were happy for us and celebrate with us is super cool just to see how the fans loved us just as much as we loved the championship,” Pearce explained. “Just from a hockey stand point, I think I wasn’t a huge part of the on-ice factor in P.A., but I got to learn from a lot from our top guys. Definitely I learned a lot of things and I think I brought that here and I like to say I was a bigger part in this championship on my on-ice play and I think that really helped me a lot.”

Eric Pearce lifts the cup after winning the SJHL championship. (Submitted photo/Estevan Bruins)

Pearce and Bilous are a part of the same billet family and Bilous said in P.A. they created a connection and to win a second championship together is special.

“He’s a huge part of this Estevan team and I think he showed it all playoffs,” he added.

Pearce added Bilous has become one of his closest friends and after winning a championship, they told their Bruins teammates from past experience winning with the Raiders, your teammates become brothers for life.

“You can call them in the next how ever many years and always come back to this and I think it’s special to be a part of someone I’m so close with and to win two championships it was just awesome,” he said.

Next up for the Bruins is the 2022 Centennial Cup in Estevan where they will compete to become Canadian Junior Hockey League Champions.

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Ian.Gustafson@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @IanGustafson12