Tanner Jeannot and Bryson Mayer, two local hockey players, joined the ranks of the Midget AA Estevan TS&M Bruins this season. This is Jeannot’s second year with the team and Mayer’s first year.
Unfortunately, they aren’t seeing the season they hoped for when the eagerly set out playing with the team earlier this fall, as the team is in last place in the South Division, with two wins and 11 losses. But, they won’t let this discourage them from giving it their best at a game they love.
Mayer had a bit of slow start to the season, as a pre-season injury forced him to cut back his training for the first few weeks. Once his injury healed, he worked hard on ice to prove they picked the right kid for the team.
As for Jeannot – a veteran on the team – the coaches honoured him with the “C” on his jersey.
“You get a sense of leadership,” said Jeannot, the team’s captain. “You get to lead the team and show them what it’s like playing AA.”
The team practices Tuesdays at Estevan’s brand new Spectra Place and Thursdays in Bienfait. They travel across southern Saskatchewan for games. Teams in the league include Weyburn, Yorkton, Melville, Regina Canucks, Moose Jaw, Regina Oilers, Swift Current, Regina Senators, Regina Hurricanes, and Prairie.
Last year the team placed third in the league, lost out in the semi-finals to the team who took first.
“It was a best of three games series and we lost by one goal in the third period of third game,” Jeannot recalled.
Next year when the boys move up to Midget, they have a couple different options. For Jeannot, he hopes to make a Midget AAA team.
“I’m going to go try out for Midget AAA in Regina or where I am sent invites [to try out]. If I make that, then I might go play there. But, if that doesn’t work out, I’ll go play Midget AA in Estevan and wait another year to grow and get more experience, then I’ll go play Midget AAA.”
He’s well on his way to meeting this goal, as he leads his team in points, with 14 goals and 6 assists in 15 games played.
To follow the Estevan TS&M’s season, visit www.sbaahl.ca.
lizz@oxbowherald.sk.ca
