With training camp just over a month away, the Estevan Bruins are putting out the call for more billet homes.
The team is short on billets, as they try to find places for their non-local players to stay during the season.
Bruins head coach and general manager Chris Lewgood said the team still needs billets for "anywhere from six to eight players."
That's for the regular season. Lewgood said the team will probably be OK for training camp, which runs Sept. 6-8.
"We probably could use a couple extras for training camp, but a lot of times our existing billets just take a couple of extra players for a week or two," he said.
He added that putting players in good situations at home is a big part of building a successful Junior A club.
"You can't bring kids in and have a competitive team without having homes for these guys. It's important for them to live in a family-type atmosphere when they're away from home, here in Estevan."
Meanwhile, the Bruins made a minor trade with the La Ronge Ice Wolves.
The deal saw list player Brayden Atkinson traded to the Wolves for future considerations.
Lewgood said the Bruins will receive a prospect in return, yet to be announced.
Atkinson is a 1995-born forward from Dinsmore. He put up 34 goals and 62 points in 23 games with Elrose last year, playing Midget A in the Highway 14 Hockey League.
"Brayden was a kid who was going to be borderline for us, we weren't sure if he'd make it for us (this season)," said Lewgood.
"There was a certain player on La Ronge's list that we targeted. It was list player for list player. If either guy ends up suiting up, it's a win-win."
Lewgood has been busy this off-season, trading away defenceman Tyler Kauk and winger Brett Dumaine, while acquiring goalie Matt Gibney and centre Ben Johnstone. However, he said he's likely done now.
"I don't see anything happening real soon. We're pretty happy with the group we've got coming into camp."
The Bruins will hold fitness testing on Thursday, with players coming in on Wednesday night. The session will include some on-ice work Thursday night.
Lewgood said the day will help with team building and that it will be good "to put faces to the names."
There have been a flurry of other trades in the SJHL this summer, with 11 other deals being completed, all of them with out-of-province teams.
The Melville Millionaires have been busy, acquiring 20-year-old goalie Isaiah Plett from the Winnipeg South Blues (MJHL) for futures. Plett posted a 2.54 goals-against average and .913 save percentage last year and is expected to replace the NCAA-bound Alex Wakaluk as the team's starter.
The Mils also acquired 1994-born right winger Brady Constant from the OCN Blizzard (MJHL), and swapped 20-year-old forward Alex Elliott to the Drumheller Dragons (AJHL) for 1994-born forward Adam Danyluk.
The Battlefords North Stars also made three trades. The most significant saw them acquire 20-year-old goalie Luke Lee Knight and 19-year-old centre Robin Carlson from the Lloydminster Bobcats for futures. Knight spent most of last year with the WHL's Tri-City Americans.
The Stars also dealt 20-year-old forward Brandon Long, who had 27 points last year, to the Drayton Valley Thunder (AJHL) and re-acquired 19-year-old centre Nick Fountain from the Abitibi Eskimos (NOJHL).
The Flin Flon Bombers shipped 20-year-old defenceman Dallen Hall to Drayton Valley for 19-year-old forward Parker Evans-Campbell.
The Weyburn Red Wings dealt 20-year-old goalie Jean-Philippe Boucher, who was their starter last year, to the Kahnawake Condors (LHJAAAQ) for futures.
Along with picking up Atkinson, La Ronge acquired 20-year-old left winger Jaret Smith from the Kemptville 73s (CCHL).
The Melfort Mustangs dealt 20-year-old goalie Patrick Johnson to the Selkirk Steelers (MJHL) for 19-year-old right winger Tyrenn Bauer.
Finally, the Kindersley Klippers acquired 19-year-old centre Sean Naish from the Cumberland Grads (CCHL) for futures.
