56 games played. 18 wins. 31 losses. 10th place in the SJHL league standings.
Estevan ended the season with the grit and determination they started with last fall. While it's yielded them a spot in the playoffs in seasons past, this year, it wasn't in the cards. After a few roster changes and a change in leadership, the black and gold fought hard to get a placement in the coveted SJHL Playoffs. For fans, it's definitely a season to remember.
"No playoffs this year, but it doesn't mean there isn't a bright future for this group. For so many of those 20-year-old guys, you know, your Caleb Whittingham's here, Brady Wilson's, your Owen Simmons -- they've helped set the tone for for this younger group right on down the line there and, you know, help develop some of those good habits for the guys coming back for next year," shared Marty Martinson, the Bruins' marketing director and play-by-play host.
That doesn't mean the team went out without a splash. As is tradition, the season ended with a home-and-home series against their Highway 39 Rival, the playoff-bound Weyburn Red Wings. Placing third in the SJHL standings and having taken home the Viterra Division championship title, they are a force to be reckoned with. The black-and-gold managed to hold their own and split their last two games with their rival. Estevan won on Friday night inside Crescent Point Place 4-2, while the rematch the next day ended with a heartbreaking 6-4 result inside Affinity Place.
"You talk about for this group, obviously a little bit of a tough season on the whole, missing the playoffs and everything like that. But, this is a group that they showed their character coming out. They could have easily said 'Hey, two games left. They don't mean much.', but they didn't do that. They didn't fold. Instead, they came out with one of their best efforts of the season there. It was unbelievable," Martinson expressed.
As Marty would admit, Estevan played some their best hockey this season against Weyburn. The Bruins' final push in the third period Saturday night, tying the score at 4-4 after being down three goals deep, was a testament to the team's strong effort. Effort that wasn't built in a day, but rather was years in the making. Martinson noted that he's seen the progression of some players in the team that's added to the team's depth.
"What makes junior hockey so great is that it isn't permanent -- it's temporary. Guys come in as wide-eyed 17 or 18-year-olds, and then they leave here as 20-year-olds; young men ready to take on the next chapter there. And [it's] always special when you can see those 20-year-olds come through in a big way."
LISTEN: Closing the book on the Bruins' 2024-25 season - A retrospective with Marty Martinson
So what's the big area of concern that the team needs to iron out before the new season begins? Consistency.
"For this group, I think it's, again, just looking for a little bit more consistency, maybe from the hop for next year. If they could do that, they could play with anybody in this league."
One hurdle the team will be looking to solve in the imminent future is the search for a new head coach and general manager. After the team parted ways with the former head coach Jason Tatarnic, the Bruins have found a new leader in Drew Kocur. "I really can't say enough good things about Drew and the job he's been able to do here. Just watching the way the guys have been playing, I mean, they play so hard for him, and he's really got them playing hard for each other as well."
"That's the nucleus of what you need for any successful team -- is you've got to be inspired and you've got to be working hard for not just yourself, but everybody. The teammates beside you, the coach behind the bench and all that. I think he's just done a great job. He's got these guys playing hard and, you know, it's been fun to see. Obviously, we'll see what happens there as far as the coaching position there for next year. But for Drew, I mean, he's really left it all out there," Martinson expressed.
Despite the lopsided season for the team, Martinson noted that the Bruins appreciated the community's support."Even when the team was struggling a little bit, [there] was people coming in the door with a smile on, ready to cheer them on. You know, I'll tell you this for sure. The players noticed that. Even on these last couple of games when we knew their playoffs were out of reach, it was still a great turnout and it was special to see."
"That's what it's all about. You want to play in a community that cares about the team, that cares about its players, and this one is certainly that. It's been special to see and be a part of, just a small piece of it."
While the hockey season may be over for the hometown team, Marty's office keeps on roaring. The Bruins organization is planning for their upcoming Sportsmen Dinner, which is slated for May 3.