In two days, one of the marquee events on the SJHL calendar will kick off in Estevan.
The SJHL Showcase will bring all 12 member clubs to Spectra Place to play two games apiece in three days.
Local fans will get a steady dose of hockey, beginning Friday at 11 a.m. with Weyburn facing La Ronge, and ending Sunday at 7:30 p.m. when Flin Flon takes on Notre Dame.
Bruins president Jeff Pierson said he's excited for everything that the Showcase brings, including a chance to show off Spectra Place.
"We're showcasing one of the best Junior A hockey rinks in the country. That exposes our city more than our hockey club. Everyone who will hear and see about this, it's just super-exciting," said Pierson.
"I just really hope the people of Estevan and surrounding area come out and support this. This is step one in both the Bruins club and the city looking to attract bigger hockey events to Spectra Place. That part of it is pretty simple: good volunteers and good fan support will look very good on a resume for the World Junior A Challenge or even the RBC Cup."
The purpose of the annual event, aside from providing a financial boost for the host centre, is to showcase SJHL players for scouts ranging from the college level to the NHL.
Pierson said he's been in contact with three NHL scouts who are coming and there could be more.
The Edmonton Oilers, Minnesota Wild and NHL Central Scouting will all have representatives at Spectra Place.
Bruins marketing manager Becky Tait, who has been instrumental in planning for the event, said Friday that about 220 volunteers had been lined up for the weekend.
She said gate workers and ticket sellers had been needed earlier but those positions have been filled.
She said she's confident the team's game day staff can pull it off, based on the team's home games so far this year.
"It's a really good chance for Estevan to prepare for an event like the Royal Bank Cup," she said.
The Weyburn Red Wings hosted the Showcase last year and team president Ryan Williams said it was an unqualified success.
"We had every hotel full in Weyburn," he said.
"From the fans we talked to, it was some of the best hockey we've seen in a very long time. Nobody walked away disappointed. And that wasn't just when Weyburn was playing, it was when La Ronge or Flin Flon were playing," he said.
"Anybody that loves hockey, something like this would be absolutely huge for them."
He said the Wings made roughly $12,000 off the event, but that the spinoff also came in other ways.
"For us, yeah, making money on something like that is huge, but I don't think you're in it to get rich doing it. It's something for the community and your team and your players. Weyburn would absolutely jump at the opportunity again if it ever arose."
He said roughly 25 scouts from all levels of hockey attended last year.
Pierson said the weekend offers something for everyone, with games being played morning through night and with lots of inter-conference matchups.
"We don't expect everyone to watch all 12 games, but they can pick and choose and work around their own schedule. There'll be hockey for pretty much 12 hours a day."
