The Estevan Bruins have a strong group of young talent, in both players who are entering their second year and rookies coming in for the first time.
Bruins head coach and general manager Chris Lewgood told the Mercury last week that he expects the younger returning players to lead the way this year, and that is probably a realistic expectation.
The Bruins have lost many key parts of their attack. The likes of Austin Daae, Tanner Froese, Michael Sagen, Corey Kosloski and Austin Roesslein are all gone.
After them, the team's next leading scorers were almost entirely rookies.
Keegan Allison and Zach Douglas both topped the 20-point mark. Jason Duret posted strong numbers after a mid-season trade. Lynnden Pastachak was hampered by a bad shoulder but showed many flashes of brilliance. Nolan Nicholas was among the team's top defencemen as a rookie and also chipped in some offence.
Meanwhile, Chris Thorimbert started to find his offensive touch in the playoffs. Keaton Longpre was probably the team's most improved player, killing penalties and using his speed to play a strong defensive game.
They'll need some support, but it certainly isn't too much to ask for the youngsters to help lead the way.
However, let's not get too caught up in it until we see what they do on the ice next year.
I'm sure the 2012-13 season is still fresh in many memories. The Bruins were relying on their second-year players to help them take the next step. That was a promising group of 1993-borns, led by Tyler Kauk, Austin Yano and Tanner Froese.
Almost every one of those players either regressed as a sophomore or was traded during the season. In Kauk's case, he was traded the next off-season.
So there's a cautionary tale. The term "sophomore slump" wasn't coined for no reason. Sometimes players struggle in their second crack at the can.
However, the group the Bruins are relying on has the talent and work ethic to play key roles on this team.
Not only that, the vast majority of them will be eligible to return in 2015-16, the year the Bruins are hoping to host the Western Canada Cup.
The Bruins are building toward that season. They are hoping their confidence is repaid beginning in September.
Contact Josh Lewis at 306-634-2654 or [email protected]. Anyone who thinks the World Cup final was boring doesn't understand soccer. It was a phenomenal game.
