On a team laced with veterans, it can be easy for rookies to get pushed down the depth chart and out of the spotlight. However that's not really the case for three of the Estevan Bruins' most highly touted first-year forwards. Cole Olson, Ryan Ostertag and Josh Jelinski are proving they belong with the club by contributing in different ways.
The play of the three 1992-born players has shown Bruins' brass that while they all play different roles, all three are very useful in different game situations.
Olson, who hails from Deloraine, Man. has made it known that he can produce offensively. After a strong pre-season, the 5'11", 180 lb. winger got off to a slow start in the regular season, but has really turned it on as of late with five goals and three assists in his last six games.
"Lately I've been chipping in offensively so it's been good," said Olson who had 59 points last year in triple A. "I think my line is just clicking a bit more, I was scoring a lot in the pre-season, but for some reason it took me a bit to get going in the regular season."
With only two goals so far, Ostertag is still looking to break out offensively, but the Regina native is a great two-way forward, and has been used in lots of different game situations.
"I'm really liking it so far," says Ostertag. "I've been getting a lot of opportunities, and being a rookie, I'm really happy with the ice time that I'm getting."
Ostertag lists the size of the players and the speed of the game as the biggest difference between triple A midget hockey - where he put up 41 points last year - and Junior A. He says he played an offensive role on his team last year and understands that he needs to learn to play at both ends of the ice if he wants to be successful at the junior level.
"For me, I didn't play much defence last year and I really have to change that," he said. "I've been working on it a lot and trying to become an all-around player. Then hopefully by next year, I can become more creative offensively."
Every team has that one guy that the opposition hates to play against, and for the Bruins it's Josh Jelinski. The pride of Avonlea, Sask. is a ball of energy on the ice and will stop at nothing to take opponents off their game. He hits anything that moves, gets under opposing players' skin and isn't afraid to drop the gloves. When asked about his style of play, Jelinski said he's not one to do a lot of "chirping" per se, but he'll do whatever it takes to help the team, and he loves being an Estevan Bruin.
"I think I'm fitting in well here, and I'm having a good time. This is probably the most fun I've had in my hockey career," he said.
Playing triple A with Moose Jaw last year, the six-foot, 188 lb. Jelinski led his team in penalty minutes with 62, and added 21 points. Producing more offensively, he says is something he'd like to do more of in the future.
"All my career I've been a defensive type player and just grinded it out with the odd point here and there, but it'd be nice to really break it open and get some points."
All three of the rookies are getting the chance to play with some of the Bruins' most talented players. The trio started out the season playing on a line together, but lately Ostertag has seen time on a line with Mark Cross and Ryan Andersen, the Bruins' leading scorer.
"They're both big bodies and they make room for me skate and do what I can with the puck," said Ostertag. "They're super-nice guys that will help you out with whatever they can."
As for Olson and Jelinski, they're still playing together, and they've been put on a line centred by team captain Troy Hunter. According to Olson, Hunter is an excellent player who makes everyone around him better.
"I really like playing with him. He opens up a lot of space for me," he said.
If Ostertag, Olson and Jelinski can keep progressing throughout the year, the Bruins will have no problem finding go-to veterans in the years to come.
