Prior to the Estevan Bruins’ final regular season game on Sunday, the team was presented with a prestigious honour by the Estevan Minor Hockey Association.

EMHA president Kelly Kjersem presented Bruins captain Josh Jelinski with the association’s Volunteer of the Year Award, recognizing the team for its work with local minor hockey teams.

Bruins head coach and general manager Keith Cassidy said the club was thrilled with the recognition, particularly since it is not something usually awarded to a team.

“It’s an amazing honour to be bestowed upon our hockey club. I think it speaks volumes to the amount of volunteerism our players have done in the community this year, especially with minor hockey. When they found out, they certainly felt pretty proud of what they had been able to accomplish,” Cassidy said.

He said many of his players helped out minor hockey teams with their practices, running them and giving kids some instruction.

“When you take a look at our attendance as far as kids coming out, I’m sure that has a huge effect on it. We seem to have made a connection there and I’m certainly thankful for that.”