With SJHL cards being issued last Tuesday, the Estevan Bruins have been getting down to business.
Head coach Keith Cassidy, director of player personnel Rick Oakes and the team's scouting staff have been pounding the pavement, signing players in Saskatchewan and Manitoba.
Seven prospective Bruins have been signed in the past week, with more expected to be on the way.
"I'm just thrilled with the number and the quality of the signings we've made this year. In my time with the club, I've never seen a year like this," said Bruins president Jeff Pierson.
Cassidy got two players locked up last Thursday - Winnipeg Thrashers defenceman Tyler Kauk and Yorkton Harvest right winger Ben Johnstone.
Kauk, a 1993-born defenceman who won the Telus Cup with the Thrashers last month, may well be the biggest catch of the group.
"Tyler's a big, strong, physical defenceman. He's going to be able to step in and play right away, and play a lot," said Oakes. "He's got a big shot from the point that will be very beneficial to our power play and more importantly than anything, he's a character kid, a great leader and a winner."
Further to that, Kauk and Cassidy have some familiarity, with Cassidy almost signing the rearguard to the Winnipeg Saints as a 16-year-old.
"He's a high-end kid. He said Estevan sounded like the place for him. I think Bruins fans are going to be excited to watch him," said Cassidy.
Kauk posted seven goals and 17 points with the Thrashers last year.
Johnstone is another '93 prospect who is eager to don the Black and Gold.
"He's coming in to make the club and play out a lifelong dream to put on the Bruins jersey. To say he's excited would be an understatement. But he doesn't expect anything to be handed to him," Oakes said.
Johnstone notched 22 goals and 44 points in Yorkton last year.
Cassidy said the Carlyle product is the kind of player he covets - someone who wants to be here.
"I'm excited about these kids, guys like Benny Johnstone and Tanner Froese, who can't wait to be Bruins. Those are the kind of players we're looking for. That tells me a lot about their character."
Froese is a 1993-born Estevan native who racked up 23 goals and 47 points last year with the Swift Current Legionnaires.
"He's a great character kid and he's going to bring a lot of leadership. Being a local kid is an added bonus," Oakes said of Froese. "He's a big, strong winger who drives the net hard and he's going to put up points in this league."
Another 1993-born forward, Estevan's Taylor Reich, has not put pen to paper but will do so next week when Cassidy is in the city.
He potted 22 goals and 46 points for the Saskatoon Contacts last year.
"Taylor Reich had a great season with the Saskatoon Contacts, in a first class program with a winning tradition. We expect him to bring that winning tradition with him. He was also a captain there," Oakes said. "Team-wise, he had a lot of success this year and he's very passionate about wearing the jersey. He's going to fulfil a very big role for us."
The Bruins also inked three other defencemen.
They include Austin Yano of White City, who was used last season as a winger by the Moose Jaw Generals but will revert to his natural defence position with the Bruins. He had 15 goals and 35 points last year as a forward.
"He sees the ice very well, he moves the puck well, he's got a big shot, and he'll be good on the power play," Oakes said of the '93 blueliner.
Denin Boesch is another White City product who totalled six goals and 17 points with the Harvest last year. The 1993-born defenceman had to switch teams last season after being dropped by the Generals.
"He persevered, went to Yorkton and took on a prominent role as a top two defenceman and by all accounts was a first class citizen and a great leader. He's got some local ties," Oakes said.
Finally, the Bruins signed 1994-born defenceman Tyler Bell, who may yet play in the Western Hockey League next season.
"Our commitment to him is if he doesn't make the WHL, we have a spot for him," said Oakes. "He's improved his foot speed and skill level the last two years with the Regina Pat Canadians."
Bell, who is from Regina, posted five goals and 22 points last year.
Pierson said he's impressed with the team's recruiting class so far and that the people responsible deserve kudos.
"Between the job of Keith and Rick and Chad Leslie and Troy Leslie, they all just have to be commended for the job they've done. They've put on a lot of miles to visit these kids. There's a lot more work behind the scenes than anyone might imagine."
Cassidy said his remaining targets are anywhere from 50 per cent to 100 per cent committed to the team, but he's focusing on the kids who want to play in Estevan.
"I love talking to the kids when you ask them if they're committed to being a Bruin and they almost jump through the phone. Most of the guys have been like that."
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In other Bruins news, graduating forward Ryan Andersen has committed to York University in Toronto.
The 20-year-old Wainwright, Alta., native posted 27 goals and 55 points for the Bruins last season, placing third on the team behind Jonathan Ceci and Troy Hunter.
Andersen will join Estevan teammate Mark Cross at York after Cross committed to the school earlier this spring.
Andersen was acquired by the Bruins from Battlefords in 2009 in the trade that sent Chad Filteau to the North Stars.
