A familiar face will be back when the Estevan Bruins open training camp in September.
The team re-acquired Ben Johnstone from the Nipawin Hawks on Wednesday for future considerations.
The Carlyle centre, who is entering his 20-year-old season, had been dealt to the Virden Oil Capitals last September. Two months later, the MJHL club traded Johnstone to Nipawin.
Johnstone had five goals and 10 points in 25 games with the Oil Capitals, then put up 11 goals and 20 points in 27 games with Nipawin, giving him 30 points on the year.
Bruins head coach and GM Chris Lewgood said bringing Johnstone back wasn't necessarily a matter of something changing, but more about what the new coach liked about his game.
"To be honest, I don't think it's a matter of anything changing. I think it's what our team needs and what Benny's able to bring to the table. I like his energy level, I like his leadership on the ice, he's a character guy and I think he brings some spirit to the team.
"He brings the ability to contribute in every facet. That's rare and any time you have a guy like that, you can plunk him anywhere in the lineup and he'll find a way to contribute."
The diminutive forward had become a fan favourite during his first stint with the Bruins for his big hits and physical play. He had 16 points in his rookie season with Estevan in 2011-12.
Lewgood said he's confident about the team's offence for next year and added, "I don't see that as the main reason we brought him back into the fold."
Lewgood has spoken before about his belief in the importance of having high-end local players, and he said that was a big factor in the decision to bring Johnstone back.
"It's huge. We're very proud of the local area guys we have. I believe our nucleus comes from the southeast area of the province and that's not easy to do. If he wasn't from the area, we might not have been as aggressive in going after him. It's not politics, it's hockey, but the fact that he's a fan favourite here and can put some butts in the seats is a huge positive for us."
Lewgood said there will likely be another trade completed tomorrow.
