Burns back in Steinbach after BCHL round trip

A familiar face was back in the line-up for the Steinbach Pistons, as Shane Burns is back playing hockey in Manitoba.

The California-born defenseman had left Steinbach to play for Brooks in the non-Hockey Canada affiliated B.C. Hockey League (BCHL), but after getting traded to Vernon, decided to return to Steinbach instead.

The Bandits signed Burns after dealing with a rash of injuries but traded him Feb. 10 to re-acquire Luke Bibby, who helped the franchise win the Centennial Cup in 2023.

Instead of suiting up for Vernon, Burns was on the ice for Steinbach this weekend, picking up an assist in a pair of victories over the Winnipeg Blues.

The return was allowed because the timing of the move fell within specified league guidelines according to Steinbach head coach and general manager Paul Dyck.

“(Burns) makes us better,” Dyck said after a game Feb. 17.

“He’s obviously one of the top defenseman in the league. He’s very competitive and such a strong skater and has an impact on games in both zones. When we had the opportunity to bring him back, we felt that was a no-brainer.”

Dyck said it was an easy reunion despite Burns’ initial departure from Steinbach appearing to come out of the blue and leaving for a team that didn’t need to give anything in return via trade.

“He’s got a lot of good friends in the room, they’ve stayed in touch the whole way,” Dyck said.

“That was a seamless transition.”

Before leaving for Brooks, the 2005-born burns had 16 points in 20 games. Steinbach has benefitted from player movement out of the BCHL this season, picking up defenseman Zhenya Miles and forward Ty Paisley after both players started in the league this season.