There will be plenty of familiar faces for Troy Hunter the first time he laces up the skates next season.
But he'll have to get used to lining up beside them rather than across from them.
The Estevan Bruins announced Friday that Hunter, their captain from last season, has committed to play for the University of Regina Cougars next year.
The Virden, Man., native will be one of about a dozen former SJHL players on the Regina roster.
"I think they're heading in the right direction, they have good coaching and I already knew a couple of guys who played there," said Hunter.
The Cougars' head coach is Blaine Sautner, a former bench boss of the Battlefords North Stars.
Hunter said several schools were after him from the Canadian Interuniversity Sport and NCAA Division 3 ranks.
The 21-year-old centre also considered choosing St. Norbert College, based in De Pere, Wisc., or the University of Manitoba.
"I hemmed and hawed about it but I thought the U of R would be a good fit," he said.
Hunter said he doesn't expect to play a top six forward role to start, but feels he can help the team on the penalty kill.
He plans to study theology.
"I'm just preparing for the schooling part of it, which will probably be harder than anything, not going to school for the past three years," he acknowledged.
Hunter finished second on the Bruins with 57 points last year after being acquired from the Dauphin Kings in a pre-season trade.
Other former SJHLers on the Cougars' roster include Bruins goalie Shayne Barrie, Weyburn netminder A.J. Whiffen and forward Tyler Penny, Yorkton forward Cody Zubko, Melville forward Tyler Murray and defenceman Jordan Reeve, and Kindersley forwards Matt Sawa and Ryan Sawka.
