The U18 AAA Great North Estevan Bears are looking at what may be an important season for them, as a big event could come to Estevan. With a potential hosting of the Telus Cup West Regional tournament, the Bears would be under a greater lens and would want to perform their best for the larger stage.
Bears Assistant Coach Jason Johnstone talks about the year ahead and the hopes he has for the team.
"On paper, it looks good right now. It always depends on junior teams coming out of camp in the fall, but if most of the guys return, we'll have a strong team, I think."
The team will have around 10 returning players, leaving a lot of room to add positions ahead of the season.
So far, the recruiting process has been going well, says Johnstone.
"I think this was probably our best year recruiting. We got all the players we pretty much wanted to get, we ended up getting, so things are looking good there."
Johnstone says that their success over the past couple of years, including a finals appearance, helps to cement themselves as a contender and entice recruits. They also make sure to personally connect with those potential players.
"I think that's a big thing, me and Ryan (Pilon, Head Coach) do a lot of driving in the winter as well. Show our faces, talk to players, which I think helps a lot as well."
Hosting the West Regionals eventually made its way into their recruiting pitch, but Johnsotone says that now the team is pretty well set.
"We can't really add any players at this point. Cam Allen would be the only one who would come back. There's a possibility some guys might start in the SJHL, a few of our guys, and maybe come back at some point. But as of right now, the only player that isn't currently signed would be Cam Allen, probably. He's the only one who could come back."
Jonhonstone says that being able to hold the event in Estevan would give a chance to show all the ways the facilities have improved since the last big hockey event.
"I think it'd be huge. The last three years, we've really improved how things are going player-wise, team-wise. I really think an opportunity like this would really showcase not only the team, the city, and the facilities, as well. It's probably the nicest facility in Saskatchewan.
The deadline for the team's bid to host the West Regionals is August 22nd, with their host package still currently being worked on.