ESTEVAN - The Estevan Bruins were back on the ice during the Labour Day long weekend for their annual fall camp.
More than 40 players were separated into two teams – Team Black and Team Gold. The athletes had a practice and a scrimmage on Friday, and then the rosters were finalized for two games on Saturday and one on Sunday.
Team Gold defeated Team Black 3-1 on Sunday to win the Gerry Aspen Cup – named after the Bruins' long-time trainer and volunteer.
"There was a pretty fast pace and it was competitive," said head coach and general manager Jason Tatarnic. "There were good games, so we're pretty happy with it."
Only five players – forwards Brady Wilson, Cade Kennedy and Raine Hodge, and defencemen Kaelen Whittingham and Owen Simmonds – are back from last season's team. Tatarnic was pleased with the performance of the veterans who were at camp.
"There was a lot of new faces and a lot of energy, so as a staff, we're really looking forward to it."
The two goalies at camp – 2005-born Liam Hallet and 2006-born Benny Polhill – are both in their first year with the Bruins, and Tatarnic thought they both played well.
Local product Carter Onrait, a forward entering his first season of junior hockey after three seasons with the Estevan Great North U18 AAA Bears, had a strong showing.
"He has speed and he scored some goals, and he plays hard," said Tatarnic. "We gave him a few things to work on during the summer, and you can see it on the ice. He's gotten faster, so that's a Bears product that's done really well so far."
Forward Gunner Moore, a 16-year-old forward from Carievale who also spent last season with the Bears, was a surprise, Tatarnic said.
"Gunner and I talked in the summer, and we discussed coming to camp with the goal of making our hockey team. He's definitely making a case for himself. He's been really good, so we're going to give him every opportunity to try to make this hockey team."
Among the newcomers, forwards Hudson Binder and Reed Gramlich also stood out, Tatarnic said.
Forward Carsyn Dyck, who was the Bruins top rookie last season, is currently in the camp of the Portland Winterhawks of the Western Hockey League, while forward Keenan Hollan is with the Seattle Thunderbirds.
The Bruins' players will be back on the ice Sept. 3 for a practice and they will open the 2024-25 preseason with a home game against the Manitoba Junior Hockey League's Virden Oil Capitals the following day, starting at 7 p.m.
The Bruins will visit the Aberdeen Wings of the North American Hockey League on Sept. 7 and 8, visit the Weyburn Red Wings on Sept. 13, and host Weyburn on Sept. 14.
Tatarnic said the club plans to use all five games to make some "really, really tough" decisions regarding the roster. He expects they will be at 29 or 30 players in time for the start of the exhibition slate.
