Troy Hunter's first stay with the Estevan Bruins was cut short by an offer he couldn't refuse.The Bruins announced the acquisition of the over-age right-winger from the Manitoba Junior Hockey League's Dauphin Kings on Saturday.Hunter was originally recruited by the Bruins to their 2008 spring camp but chose Dauphin instead, where he went on to play in the RBC Cup national championship this spring with the host Kings."I remember coming to camp and talking to Karry [Biette, Bruins head coach/general manager] after and he said he liked what he saw," said Hunter. "But I knew with Dauphin I had a pretty good opportunity to play in the RBC Cup so I went there instead."Biette acquired Hunter in exchange for 1991-born forward Jeremy Peeke and future considerations, as part of a complex deal that saw the Bruins send Dauphin 1990-born sniper Devin Mitzner on a loaner basis for future considerations.Mitzner's rights will revert to the Bruins on June 1.In Hunter, the Bruins continue to add size to their forward ranks. The six-foot-two, 200-pounder had 32 points in 56 regular-season games for Dauphin last season, and added another 11 points in 13 playoff games.Peeke finished his first junior A season with 16 points in 44 games for Estevan."I think the biggest thing I saw on the team that was lacking [last season] was some strength, some character, and some leadership, and I think Hunter is a perfect fit to fill the void in those areas," said Biette.As the roster stands now, Biette expects to line Hunter up with fellow over-agers Mark Cross and Ryan Andersen. Cross, listed at six-foot-one and 190 pounds, would be the smallest player of the three."That's a pretty formidable line when you look at the size, the strength, and the tenacity on that line," said Biette.For two years Hunter's lasting memory of Estevan was of getting his nose broken in a fight with former Bruins defenceman Zach Johnson.This time around he expects to make himself a little more at home."I'm just excited to come there," he said. "Good things are happening there and I'm getting pretty excited to put on the skates."The Bruins also announced Saturday they have dealt over-age winger Matt Beer to the Wellington (Ont.) Dukes for future considerations.Beer finished last season with 14 goals and five assists.That move leaves the Bruins with nine over-age players for the coming season, though two more are expected to be announced as future considerations from the La Ronge Ice Wolves in the coming days.
