The process of selecting the 2013-14 roster began for the Estevan Bruins on the weekend, as they held their annual training camp at Spectra Place.
The roughly 60 players taking part were divided into four teams for intra-squad games on Friday and Saturday, followed by the annual Black and Gold game on Sunday.
"I actually think it was great," Bruins head coach Chris Lewgood said of the level of competition at camp.
"I think our veterans played very mature, sound hockey and I think they knew they were in a battle to make the hockey team. They're the leaders and the level of intensity they show, the younger guys will follow."
Team Gold defeated Team Black 5-2 to win the third annual Gerry Aspen Cup on Sunday night.
"I thought it was good. I've been to a lot of intra-squad games over the years and this one could've been as competitive as any of them. I really liked the effort," Lewgood said of the Black and Gold game.
Brayden Bentz, a 1995-born forward who played midget AA with Lumsden last year, led the Gold effort with two goals.
Fellow 1995-born forward Paul Schulte opened the scoring 1:17 into the second period after a scoreless first, knocking in a rebound.
"Paul Schulte was a walk-on player who came in and really caught our attention. He's got an inside track and will push hard for a job," Lewgood said of the Alberta product.
Barely two minutes later, Bentz made it 2-0 on a short side wrist shot that got past 1997-born Black goalie Kyle Zinger.
Keegan Allison added to the lead at 9:33, as the talented 18-year-old put in his own rebound off a breakaway.
Bienfait 17-year-old Lynnden Pastachak put Gold ahead 4-0 at the 13:40 mark on a partial breakaway.
Black got on the board at 12:19 of the third period, as local product Taysen Holt tipped a Tyler Boyer shot past 18-year-old goalie Logan Roach.
Bentz scored his second marker of the game with a minute remaining, and Zach Douglas rounded out the scoring for Black 13 seconds later.
Douglas, who is entering his second season on the Bruins' blue line, played at forward for most of the weekend to fill an empty spot. Lewgood said he "had a strong camp."
Overage defenceman Nick Egan, who decided last week to return to the Bruins after coming in at last year's trade deadline, was another player who opened some eyes after losing some weight over the summer. He captained the Gold squad.
"I was really pleased with Egan," said Lewgood.
Another player who caught Lewgood's eye was 1995-born defenceman Nolan Nicholas, who was recruited out of Thunder Bay in June and was among the standouts at camp.
In general, Lewgood said he was satisfied with the performances of some of the lesser-known players who tried out.
"The pleasant surprises outweighed the disappointments, that's for sure. Every year you have some projections that don't come true, but I think the positives outweighed the negatives."
He said there were 30-35 players still in the mix for roster spots as of Monday.
The Bruins kicked off their pre-season slate on Monday with the annual rookie game against the Notre Dame Hounds in Wilcox, losing 8-6.
They will host the North American Hockey League's Minot Minotauros tonight at 7:30 p.m., then visit the Weyburn Red Wings Friday before playing host to the Wings on Sunday at 6 p.m.
