For a lot of people, it's the most wonderful time of the year.
The junior hockey season is about to start. The Estevan Bruins have been on the ice for a few weeks now. Training camp and preseason games are in the rearview mirror. The regular season starts Friday night when the Melville Millionaires are in town.
There is always something special about the start of the season. The ice is still relatively fresh, the boards and the glass are hopefully spotless. The players are back in town, rested up and recovered from last season.
The returnees are excited to be back and to show what they can do now that they're a year older. The newcomers are eager to prove themselves and make the team.
The dog days of December and January have yet to begin.
Bruin fans should have reason for excitement this year. The club has a good nucleus of returning talent. They look to have depth at all positions, and they appear to be a balanced team that can win any type of game. They're also a bigger team than they have been in years past.
They might not be the type of team that scores seven or eight goals routinely, and they might not score in bunches on a regular basis, but it's ultimately depth, balance and team play that wins championships.
Of course, it's hard to predict how a team will fare. Seasoned junior hockey fans can recall the teams that look to be a powerhouse but wind up in the middle of the pack or missing the playoffs entirely. Meanwhile, the club that is off the lists for championship selections at the start of the campaign winds up challenging for a league title.
You're dealing with young players, and you never know how they will develop or mature.
Yes, the Bruins lost their top-scoring players from last season to graduation or other reasons. But also keep in mind that this year's captain, Keagon Little, was over a point per game in the 16 games he played after joining the Bruins following the Christmas break, and Owen Barrow looks to be the type of player who could shine if given the opportunity.
And there are other talented forwards back from last year's team who are eager for the opportunity to showcase their skills, and some new-to-Estevan players with plenty of ability.
The club should be strong on the blue line, with three 20-year-olds brought in from elsewhere to shore up the back end after a few players graduated from last year's team.
And they appear to be set in goal. Cam Hrdlicka is to be the first Bruins' goaltender in more than 20 years to play three seasons of junior A hockey with the Bruins. Jackson Miller, fresh off of his most-improved player award from last season, will be the backup.
It's such a nice feeling for a team to know that it is in good shape in goal before the start of the season.
For those who watched the club in the 2000s and 2010s, they remember the revolving door in goal that hampered this team. And it's a big part of why there were a lot of disappointing years for the organization.
Hockey plays an undeniable role in the lives of communities throughout the country. It's especially important in small communities. The local rink isn't just a place where hockey is played; it's a place where people come to hang out, socialize, enjoy a cup of coffee and eat a rink burger. It's a hub of the community.
And since the SJHL is based in smaller communities, junior hockey is a very big deal. You see it in Estevan. The Estevan Bruins are not just a source of entertainment on game nights. The players are out in the community, interacting with kids. Many kids aspire to be a member of the Bruins.
They're a vital part of the community and they deserve our support throughout the season, regardless of whether it's a good or a bad season.
With the talent that is returning and with the players that have been brought in, it definitely has the potential to be a good season.
