The Estevan Bruins added what they hope is a top six forward in a trade last week.
The Bruins acquired 20-year-old centre Dustin Jesseau from the Abitibi Eskimos of the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League on Nov. 13.
Jesseau, who made his Bruins debut Wednesday against Melville, is expected to centre one of the team's top two lines.
"He's a very skilled forward and we were looking for another centreman to help out," said Bruins head coach and general manager Keith Cassidy.
"He stepped in (against Melville) after only being here for a day and did some really good things. He's certainly going to be one of the faster guys on our team and his puck skills are far above average. His hockey sense is really good."
The Aurora, Ont., native had four goals and 10 points in seven games with Abitibi this year. He has also spent time with the now defunct Dixie Beehives of the Ontario Junior Hockey League, and played two games last year with the Acadie-Bathurst Titan of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.
Cassidy said he hopes Jesseau can help resurrect the team's power play, which is running 10th in the SJHL at a 12.8 per cent success rate.
"We had him play the point on the power play near the end of the game (in Melville) and that seemed to pay off for us. It's a position he's played previously. Hopefully that helps kick start our power play a little bit, which has been a thorn in our side this year," said Cassidy.
Meanwhile, the Bruins released 19-year-old centre Tyson Valette on Thursday.
Valette, who spent part of last season with the La Ronge Ice Wolves, had missed the first six weeks of the season with a shoulder injury. He played three games in a Bruins jersey.
Meanwhile, Cassidy said that with the additions of Jesseau and Roger Tagoona, he's optimistic about the team's forward depth once Calder Neufeld and Matt Brykaliuk return from injury.
"I think they all have the ability to play at a high level and we're certainly going to be expecting that. When and if we get everybody in the lineup at the same time, it's going to be a good thing for us. I'm excited and looking forward to seeing what that looks like, as I'm sure a lot of people are."
