The Estevan Bruins took the first steps towards what they hope will be a banner year during their annual fall camp.

Head coach/GM Karry Biette said he was satisfied with the level of intensity shown during scrimmages on September 3 and 4. He felt the competitiveness was at a higher level for the Black-Gold intersquad game on September 5.

Biette said that this year's camp boasted the strongest collection of forwards in years.

“Right through from the returning guys, to the guys we got in futures (players acquired as future considerations in trades), to the guys we recruited, there are some dandy players out there,” said Biette.

The returning 1992-born forwards – Justin Waskewitch, Dylan Smith and Michael Hengen – were impressive, Biette said. Biette also praised the play of returnees Ryan Andersen and Mark Cross, off-season acquisitions Ben Findlay and Ward Szucki, and rookies Ryan Ostertag and Joel Jelinski.

Forward Tanner Froese, a local, 1993-born player, had a strong camp, Biette said, with his skating, physical play and added strength.

“It's going to be very difficult for a 1993 to crack this line-up. Plain and simple,” Biette said. “Austin Daae (another 1993-born local player) is playing in the WHL. I'm not sure Austin Daae could crack this line-up.”

Defenceman Lucas Stubel did a lot of work during the summer, and it showed during camp, Biette said.

Veteran goaltender Joel Danyluk, who was one of the Bruins prized off-season acquisitions, allowed only two goals during the scrimmages and three goals in the Black-Gold game.

“Danyluk's a big-time goaltender, and I think he's going to be a pretty good goalie for us through the year from what I've seen so far,” said Biette.

Alex Sirard and Shea Cooper are vying for the back-up job. Sirard, who was the Bruins’ back-up in the final weeks of last year, played well in camp, Biette said. Cooper, who has played major junior and Junior A hockey in Ontario, was brought in prior to the Black-Gold game.

Team Gold won the intersquad game 3-2. Waskewitch, Froese and Hengen scored for Team Gold. Smith and Ostertag replied for Team Black.

Four veteran players missed the Black-Gold game due to injury: forwards Troy Hunter, Kyle Johnson and Taylor Epp, and defenceman Christopher Neurauter. Epp is about two weeks from returning, Biette said. The others could be ready for the season opener in Melville on September 16.

Defenceman Eric Baldwin, 18, joined the Bruins on September 7, after he was reassigned by the WHL’s Calgary Hitmen.