The Power Dodge Estevan Bruins expect to have 50 to 60 prospects on the ice this weekend for the club’s annual spring camp at Affinity Place.
The camp will offer a mix of some of the Bruins top prospects, some local products and some new players looking to make a good first impression. Head coach and general manager Chris Lewgood said the number of players is what they expect to have for a camp.
“It’s the same as the last six or eight camps here,” said Lewgood. “We’d be happy with as many as 100 kids. I think we could do a good job running a camp with that many, but this is sort of the minimum, and where we need to be to run a really good camp.”
The camp will open with fitness testing and practices on Friday night, and then there will be four scrimmages on Saturday and a couple more on Sunday.
Lewgood said fans can look forward to watching the Manz twins, Tyson and Tanner, who have spent the last three seasons with the Moose Jaw Generals midget AAA program. They also played with the Bruins in the Black and Gold’s final playoff game against the Battlefords North Stars.
“Those guys are likely to stand out here in camp,” said Lewgood.
Another forward to watch will be Evan Nicholas, who is the younger brother of former Bruin captain Nolan Nicholas.
“The one thing we know that appeals a lot to us is that he comes from the Nicholas family,” said Lewgood. “In the time that Nolan spent here, he left a lasting impression, and from that time, we learned a little bit about Evan, and he brings a lot of the same characteristics.”
Defencemen to watch include Jack Michell of the Saskatoon Contacts and Devin Harrison, who played with Moose Jaw. Both are players the Bruins have drafted in recent years.
Goaltender Matt Lanz headlines the list of goalies. He played with the Generals last season, and was among the top goaltenders in midget AAA.
Among the local products at camp will include forward Ryder Pierson, who has spent last season with the Yorkton midget AAA Harvest, and forward Mason Strutt and defencemen Kersey Reich and Dylan Hull, who spent last season with the Swift Current Legionnaires midget AAA squad.
Some players will be unable to attend. Four forwards, including local product Preston Brodziak, are still playing with the Regina Pat Canadians at the Telus Cup national midget AAA championship.
The others unable to be at camp are Matthew Chekay, Eric Houk and Matthew Culling.
Some of the team’s North Dakota prospects won’t be present due to a tournament, and there are others who are still recovering from injuries suffered during the season.
