It's hockey's version of a crystal ball.
The Estevan Bruins hosted their spring prospects camp over the weekend at Affinity Place and roughly 70 players from throughout North America found their way to the city for the annual event.
Those players were put through their paces as they competed in four scrimmage sessions over three days, all with an aim towards impressing the Bruins coaching staff and scouts.
Head coach and general manager Chris Lewgood said he was pleased with the attendance, noting that just a few players they had hoped to see were unable to make it. Of those who made it, Lewgood said the level of talent was very strong.
"It was exactly where we had hoped it would be," he said. "There was really good high end talent at the older ages and then the youth is just deep. There is talent everywhere in the youth so there are a lot of good days ahead of us."
Due in large part to the recent success they have had in adding young talent to their protected list, Lewgood said their group of talent born in 1998 and 1999 stood out in the various scrimmages.
Among those players catching the eye of coaches were 1998 born forwards Chaseton Sare and Riley Woods. Included in the top 1999 born players were Estevan's Brayden Pachal and twin brothers Tanner and Tyson Manz.
"Those were all guys who really stepped up and proved that they were good list players and are definitely going to play at this level, if not higher," Lewgood said.
Although there is plenty of talent in the group, Lewgood acknowledged the club does not have a lot of depth among its 1997 and 1996 born players. As for players that stood out Lewgood declined to name anyone noting that clubs in other leagues are also vying for many of the same players.
"I do believe that this is a very good start. There are a lot of good players that came in and proved what we thought to be right, that they can step in next year. There were even some surprises on guys that we thought might be close but came in and proved that they were prepared to jump in and play for us next year."
With camp out of the way, Lewgood said the next task is to get the players they have identified as future Bruins signed. Clubs across the country typically get their cards in late-May.
"We'll open our ears to other voices we have out there and sets of eyes that are scouting throughout North America and see if we can convince some of these other guys out there that didn't come to spring camp to come into fall camp and see where they fit in."
