It all starts over again for the Estevan Bruins on Friday, as they kick off their 2013-14 training camp at Spectra Place.
The camp itself runs Friday through Sunday, followed by pre-season action leading up to the Bruins' season opener on Sept. 19 in Melville against the Millionaires.
First-year head coach and general manager Chris Lewgood said he expects the total player count at camp to be in the mid-60s, with the aim of having four intrasquad teams.
"It's such a cliche to say it, but really, being a new coach and not being overly familiar with guys, every spot's open. Basically, the best players that bring a good attitude and contribute that way will be the guys (who make the team)," Lewgood said.
Registration will take place in the main lobby at Spectra Place from 4-5:30 p.m. on Friday, followed by two intrasquad games comprised of two periods of 35 minutes straight time. Those contests take place at 6 and 7:45 p.m.
On Saturday, there are intrasquad games at 9:30 and 11:30 a.m., followed by a goalie practice session at 2:45 p.m. Games resume in the evening, with the puck dropping at 5 and 7 p.m. Saturday's games will be two periods of 40 minutes straight time.
Cuts will be made after Saturday's action, with the remaining players being assigned to two teams for the annual Black and Gold game on Sunday, which sees the teams play for the Gerry Aspen Cup.
On Sunday, Team Gold practises at 11 a.m. and Team Black practises at 12:15 p.m., followed by the Black and Gold game at 6 p.m. That will be a normal game, with three periods of 20 minutes stop time.
"Off-ice, they gotta be model citizens. We're looking to have guys that are good representatives of the club in the community," Lewgood said of the message he will convey to the players in camp.
"On the ice, when you go to camp, it's important that guys play their game," he added, stressing that players shouldn't deviate from their bread and butter in an attempt to impress the team.
Several players who will or could figure into the Bruins' plans this season are currently at WHL camps and will not be at Spectra Place this weekend.
They include 18-year-old left winger Darcy DeRoose with the Moose Jaw Warriors, 17-year-old forward Carter Folk with the Seattle Thunderbirds and 17-year-old defenceman Carter Forsyth with the Kootenay Ice.
Lewgood said the early reports out of Seattle are that Folk will be sticking there.
Bienfait right winger Lynnden Pastachak, 17, tried out for the Red Deer Rebels but was re-assigned to the Bruins on Thursday.
Meanwhile, the Bruins have invited several players who aren't listed by the team who may be familiar to local fans.
One is 20-year-old forward Corey Kosloski, who played 39 games with the Weyburn Red Wings in 2011-12, posting six points. The Regina native then played for Lewgood with the Pilot Butte Storm last year, amassing 13 goals and 39 points in 31 games.
Another is 18-year-old forward Connor McKenzie, the son of former NHL tough guy Jim McKenzie. He played last year with the TPH Thunder under-18 team, based in Alabama, posting two points and 59 penalty minutes in 38 games.
McKenzie is not the only son of a former NHLer to be taking part in Bruins camp. Carter Melnyk, a 1994-born defenceman whose father Larry was an NHL defenceman, had three assists and 61 penalty minutes last year with the Port Moody Panthers of the Pacific Junior Ice Hockey League.
