Keeping hockey players safe one game at a time

Bruce Schwartzentruber recently took his last ride as the official Tavistock Braves team bus driver. Last weekend, he was able to enjoy being a passenger on a coach bus instead. Photo courtesy of Tavistock Braves

By Lee Griffi

Bruce Schwartzentruber has had a big responsibility since 2018 – making sure young men get to and from junior hockey games safely.

He drove big rigs for over 30 years at Erb Transport after starting his career at Yantzi Feed and Seed.

“The first year (driving) the Braves, I split it with Dave Zehr from Topping, but he was busy farming in the fall and I kept on going from there. I haven’t missed too many games, but Cletus Ditner has filled in once or twice, and I’ve filled in for him too for the Royals.”

Schwartzentruber drove a transport truck for a living, and his brother-in-law, Steve Hohl, has been a part of the Braves for decades, and he just happened to know he still had his Class A license.

“He asked me, and I said I would like to consider it because at that time, the Humboldt Broncos tragedy was still fresh in the media, but I said yes. I’m glad I did and the kids have been wonderful. It’s been a good run, but I am going to be 75 before next season.”

Besides focusing on driving to other Doherty Division cities, he said the job has been pretty easy.

“I have enjoyed the friendships with the kids. They were always polite and I have never had to pick up after them. When we get home from a road game, it doesn’t take much to clean up for the next one because they know where the trash bucket is.”

He added the players were always helpful when it came to loading and unloading the bus.

“Sometimes I would start loading the bus, but when the kids showed up, they would take over. Same thing with unloading.”

Schwartzentruber said his worst memory was driving home from a game in Wellesley where the road conditions weren’t ideal.

“The road was covered in snow, I couldn’t see the lines, but other than that, it's been pretty easy.”

And yes, he made sure the team was home safe and sound in Tavistock. He added this year has been special thanks to the Braves' deep Provincial Junior Hockey League (PJHL) run. While he wouldn’t predict the outcome of the current series, he expects a close one.

“I just read the Gazette this morning about both teams, and it should be a close series, just like Woodstock and Dundas were. We’ll see which way the puck bounces.”

While he won’t be travelling to many of the team’s road games in the future, Schwartzentruber said he’ll be around the arena.

“I think I’ll just be going to watch; not as many away games. This past winter, I thought a few times it would be nice to stay home, but once I got going, I was fine.”

When asked what he would miss the most about stepping away from his role behind the wheel, he said he’ll miss the kids most.

“I will miss everything, especially the kids. I should also mention that Paul Brenneman has spoiled me for years. When it’s snowy and cold for an away game, he’d park it in his shop before I got there.”

Brenneman’s farm is located just south of Tavistock on Highway 59.

“Bruce is one of the most kind-hearted human beings in the world,” said Braves general manager Brent Lange.

“His dedication and commitment to the organization and the community are absolutely amazing. He has served in many roles over the years with the Braves, even dating back to 1969-1970 as a player, and he was the general manager when we won the junior D championship in 1982-1983. He was also the best driver you could ever ask for.”

Schwartzentruber’s volunteerism doesn’t stop with hockey. He has been a member of the Tavistock Optimist Club and a board member at Tavistock Community Health for years.

“I can't say enough good things about Bruce. The players, the staff and former players just love him. You know it says a lot when you see former players at our current games who ask where Brucey is and chat with him. That speaks volumes about how much we and they all love him,” Lange said.

“The boys love him, we all love him and will miss seeing his smile as we got onto the bus and off the bus and having him cheering us on during the games.”

Lange added he has a special connection with Swartzentruber.

“The 1982-1983 team was playing when I was born, and my father, Steve Hohl, and Terry Quehl were all on the team as players. Now with myself as the GM, Steve as president and Terry on the executive, us winning the Doherty and South Conference Championships with Bruce a part of it is amazing.”

Current head coach and former player Zac Berg said “Brucey” always showed up with a smile and got the team to and from the games safely.

“His dedication to this team has been amazing and he is a part of this team and past teams just as much as anybody else. I just want to thank him for all of his hard work. Everyone appreciates it, and it doesn't go unseen. He will be missed, but I am sure he will still see him around the rink.”

Schwartzentruber’s time with the Braves has come to an end, at least as a driver, but he was more than happy to ride on the coach bus to Lakeshore for Game 1 of the series.

“I have really enjoyed it, or I would have never done it this long,” he said.