The Estevan Bruins' organization saw the SJHL Showcase as a trial run for a bigger event like the World Junior A Challenge or Royal Bank Cup, and by all accounts it was an impressive debut on the provincial stage for Spectra Place.
The arena hosted all 12 member teams for three days, with four games being played each day, in what was the first major hockey event for Spectra Place.
"I don't know if it could have gone any better. I'm just ecstatic about the whole weekend," said Bruins president Jeff Pierson.
"Spectra Place was a huge hit and anyone fortunate enough to get a tour of our new dressing room was blown away. I've heard multiple times already that this was the best (Showcase) ever," said Pierson.
Among the people from around the league impressed by the building was new SJHL president Bill Chow.
"I can sit here and tell you all the great things about it, but until you actually get here and see it, you're not going to believe me," Chow said on Friday.
"It's a great building to watch (games). It's comfortable, it's warm. We've all been to cold rinks, but when you get very good hockey entertainment at this level, in a great building like this in a community of Estevan's size, it's second to none," he added.
While attendance fluctuated throughout the weekend depending on time of day and teams playing, Pierson said he was impressed by the large contingents from Nipawin and Flin Flon, and how loud they made the arena after their teams scored.
"For how frigging far away they are, I couldn't believe it," he said.
"One of the things that stands out to me the most was the number of people who were in Spectra Place all day Saturday and there wasn't even a Bruin game."
Over 200 volunteers were pressed into service to staff the weekend, from 50/50 and ticket staff to camera operators.
"With the number of volunteers that we had throughout the weekend, some of them logging tremendous hours, I think that was the biggest test for not only our organization but the community. And we passed that with flying colours," Pierson said.
"There were some unknowns going into this, with community support and volunteers. Now I think we have the confidence to go after other things."
He said the hope is to host the World Junior A Challenge in the near future.
Chow said working with the Bruins to put on the event was made easier by Bruins marketing manager Becky Tait, who managed the entire thing.
"She has done an instrumental job in organizing and making sure things worked here in Estevan for the Showcase. I quarterbacked some things and she's basically the person that did it all," Chow said.
Pierson added that the volunteers were instrumental in making the event happen.
"Hats off to Spectra Place for pulling off 11 hours of hockey for three days straight," he said."
