The Estevan Bruins have built a core of young, talented players, and they expect that group to take a big step forward next year.
That's one reason why the Bruins have adopted the slogan The Future Is Here for the 2014-15 SJHL season.
Some of the younger players returning to the team include forwards Lynnden Pastachak, Keegan Allison and Jason Duret, and defencemen Zach Douglas and Nolan Nicholas.
"We've been projecting some of our young players to be leaders in the SJHL and be elite players. We believe this is the year they start to realize some of that potential instead of looking at them as future guys," said Bruins head coach and general manager Chris Lewgood.
"We believe this year is a turning point for us, where our youth start to take over and show their leadership and lead the way for the organization."
With the Bruins bidding for the Western Canada Cup in 2016, Lewgood said many of the team's younger players will form the core of that year's team.
"It's not a stretch to say that guys like Lynnden Pastachak, Keegan Allison and Jason Duret will lead our team in scoring (next season). David Robertson, Nolan Nicholas and Zach Douglas could be among the few best defencemen in the SJHL. Brett Lewchuk, as a 19-year-old, could be the first backup goalie to move into a starting position in Estevan in many, many years. I'm really excited about the youth of the team and with a few key exceptions, this is just one more year for these guys and we carry on with the same core to 2015-16."
Lewgood added the team fully expects to ice the best club they can if they host the Western Canada Cup, which qualifies teams for the national Junior A championship, the RBC Cup.
"You don't get tournaments like that without being a legitimate contender and a league leader, and that's what we plan on being. We don't plan on waiting five or six years for it. It's not a long-term rebuild, it's something that's already begun and well underway.
"When the job opening (for head coach and GM) came up on the website, the Bruins' executive made no secret of it over a year ago that they were planning on hosting the 2016 Western Canada Cup. For me, that was an exciting idea and one of the reasons that this was such an appealing position. We've been planning for it for over a year now and that goes for hockey operations as well," Lewgood added.
As the third-largest market in the league, the Bruins are in a strong financial position compared to many teams, and also have a spectacular arena. Lewgood said that is another reason for the new slogan.
"When we're on the recruiting trail and when we're discussing the future of the organization, we like to say that we plan on being the future of the SJHL. There's a lot of tradition in the Humboldts and Yorktons and Weyburns, but we believe the Estevan Bruins are the future of the SJHL and Estevan is the future of the league. That's why we like to say the future is here."
Meanwhile, the team is currently offering early bird prices for season tickets for next year.
"The prices are very good compared to our normal prices. The bonus this year is that every person who purchases a season ticket pack is going to get a Bruins loyalty card. Local companies are putting deals out there and everyone gets it," said Bruins operations and marketing manager Clark Munroe.
Dated season tickets are $275 for adults, $210 for seniors and students and $105 for children. Punch card season tickets are $295 for adults, $220 for seniors and students, and $110 for children. Corporate packs, family packs and flex packs are also available.
In other Bruins news, graduating forward Corey Kosloski has committed to the Augustana Vikings of the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference for next season.
