By Luke McGinnis
An off-season knee injury requiring surgery sidelined Stuart before the COVID-shortened 2020/21 WHL season had even begun. With restrictions reducing the schedule to just over 20 games and league rules limiting the number of 20-year-olds permitted on each roster, Stuart’s junior hockey career was suddenly over.
For any player, missing their final season of junior hockey can be difficult. For many, it represents one last opportunity to showcase their abilities before making the jump to the professional ranks.
Rather than simply moving on, however, the Kamloops Blazers found another role for Stuart. He was named an assistant coach under Head Coach Shaun Clouston, working alongside Corey Clouston on the bench.
“I was obviously super devastated, but I was very fortunate because the team ended up keeping me around and putting me on the bench as a coach. I was very grateful to them for that.”
It was a different view of hockey than he had ever experienced, but one that Stuart believes helped shape the player he would later become.
“Even though I didn’t get to play that season, I was still able to be a part of the team and help out. I got to learn a lot in that time from the coaches, Shaun and Corey Clouston. I got to see and learn the game from more of a coaching perspective, which I think has helped me grow as a player as well.”
When his junior career ended, Stuart headed directly to Europe to begin his professional journey, signing in Austria with Steel Wings Linz of the Alps Hockey League. He would finish as the team’s leading scorer, earning a contract with Black Wings Linz in the ICE Hockey League, where he would spend the next three seasons.
But while the journey to Europe wasn’t easy for Brodi, he couldn’t have gotten there without a little help.
Each summer since turning pro, Stuart has continued to work closely with his older brother, Levi, a longtime junior coach currently with the 100 Mile House Wranglers.
“Levi has always helped me and coached me since I was a little kid, always giving me advice and tips when I need it. It has been great being able to skate with him these last five summers.”
For the last several years, Levi has run the summer skates Stuart attends, bringing together a mix of professional, college and junior players. What started as summer training has become one of the most important parts of Stuart’s development as a professional.
Because of their relationship, Levi understands exactly what parts of Stuart’s game need attention.
“Being able to have my brother train me on the ice in the summer has really helped me develop each year. Especially working with him, he knows my game, what I am good at and what I need to work on. It has definitely helped me be the player I am today.”
Now preparing for his first season in Dundee, Stuart arrives with more than just professional experience. He brings lessons learned from a season he never played, and from a brother who has spent years helping shape the player he has become.
Fans can see Brodi and the rest of the Dundee Stars in action for the first time on home ice on Saturday 29th August against HK Liepaja, with tickets on sale NOW!
