The Estevan Bruins have gotten to work on securing a group of players expected to join the team as rookies next season.
The Bruins signed six prospects to player cards over the last week, five of them being announced Thursday and the other, Bienfait native Lynnden Pastachak, on Monday.
Pastachak is the only 17-year-old of the group, and his future is still up in the air, as he may wind up with the Western Hockey League's Red Deer Rebels this fall.
Bruins head coach and general manager Chris Lewgood said he thinks Pastachak will earn a top-six forward role with the Bruins if he plays here, adding that he "could be one of the top rookies in the SJHL."
The right winger is coming off a season that saw him finish fifth in Saskatchewan midget AAA scoring, with 29 goals and 58 points.
"It's especially sweet (because) he's a high-end local product and to me, those guys are the centrepiece of the club. When they come in and are able to contribute and be a part of the team, that's just huge. The community loves it and I believe that kids with a background like his - I mean, his dad (Kevin) played for the Bruins - they're going to play harder for the crest on the front."
Pastachak was called up to the Bruins for three games last year.
The other players the Bruins signed include goalie Brett Lewchuk and forwards Keegan Allison and Chris Thorimbert, all of the Saskatoon Blazers, along with forward Keaton Longpre and defenceman Nolan Nicholas of the Thunder Bay Kings midget AAA team in northern Ontario.
The Saskatoon players are among the Bruins' top prospects, while the Thunder Bay pair impressed at spring camp in April.
Lewgood said Lewchuk will get more of an opportunity than most rookie goalies do in the SJHL.
"It's no secret that it's a challenge for a young goalie to step in and be an everyday guy, but I think we're going to look to him more often than sometimes you'd see with a rookie goaltender, to give him some extra experience. Hopefully he can carry the load for us long-term. As for this year, he's going to push our starting goalie and add some depth to that position.
"I know our staff is really high on Thorimbert and say he brings a lot to the table, two-way player, a good character kid. I had a chance to speak to him and he's really excited about being part of our team. That's always important, the excitement level often goes hand in hand with the training and level of commitment.
"As far as Allison goes, we believe he could be a high-end player in our league long-term. He's going to get a lot of looks this year to help him grow into that player. We're really excited about the potential of him being one of our guns long-term."
Lewgood said he isn't as familiar with Nicholas and Longpre, but scout and former assistant coach Cole Zahn is optimistic about both of them.
"I do know that our guys are very high on them and thought they stood out as leaders in our spring camp. These guys were, according to the staff, no-brainers and Cole was excited enough that he went out to Thunder Bay to meet with them, and said they were both very excited. He thinks they're going to be a very good fit for our club."
Lewgood said there are no more signings imminent. He feels the six players already inked will help make for a competitive training camp.
"I think we're off to a really good start. There's some other really strong Bruins prospects who have a good shot at making our club, and you never know who walks on at camp. All spots are open this year, up for grabs. Our veteran players will have a leg up and a foot in the door because we know what they can bring to the table, and we believe that we have a solid returning group.
"That being said, there's no limit to the amount of first-year guys we'll take. Whoever comes in and proves that they want it and deserve a spot will basically be who's on the team. With this crop of young guys we've already signed, that opens it up even more with the veteran guys."
