It has been a record-breaking season for both Bradley Schoonbaert and Darby Gula thus far.
They are both in their 3rd and final seasons with the Pistons this year, and both have been breaking Piston records during the 2017-18 season. Schoonbaert leads the MJHL with 83 points on the season, while Gula leads all MJHL defencemen with 59 points. And both are closing in on more as the regular season winds down.
Schoonbaert broke Dan Taillefer’s record for most points in a season during a five-point performance in a 7-3 win over the Neepawa Natives last Friday night. Taillefer’s old record was during his final year with Steinbach, when he registered 81 points. Schoonbaert also picked up his 200th career MJHL point during a win over the Virden Oil Caps last Wednesday. He is the 2nd Piston to accomplish the feat, joining Taillefer as well (277 points).
The 20-year-old forward from Brandon has a few records in sight with eight games left in the season. He is currently two goals away from tying Tyler Penner’s record for goals in a season. Penner had 35 in 2015-16, and Schoonbaert has 33. He is one assist away from tying Taillefer’s record for assists in a season; Taillefer had 51 in 2015-16, Schoonbaert currently has 50.
Gula has broken most of Kyle Rous’ records for a Pistons defenceman. Rous’ record season came back when Steinbach won their only MJHL championship in the 2012-13 season. He had 13 goals and 34 assists for a total of 47 points that year. Gula has had a breakout season this year and he currently has 14 goals and 45 assists, both Piston records. He also has set the record for most power play assists (19) and power play points (27) in a season.
The Steinbach native also has career records as well, breaking Rous’ record for most assists by a Pistons defenceman (95), and most power play assists (44) and points by a defenceman (58). He also has set a Piston defenceman record by scoring the most game winning goals in a season (7) and most career game winners as a defenceman (10).
The two will look to continue their solid play as the Pistons visit the Swan Valley Stampeders tonight, and then head to Dauphin to take on the Kings tomorrow night.