The problem facing the Estevan Bruins at the end of their extended training camp was one most teams would love to have: they had too many players available to them, all capable of playing at the Junior A level. 

The team made a few roster moves in the past seven days to try and get closer to solving that problem, though they're not out of the woods on that front yet. Returning players Troy Hamilton and Kersey Reich were both on the move, while forward Lucius Schmidt was sent to Junior B. 

"We're pretty close," said head coach and GM Jason Tatarnic. "We've got maybe one or two things to do and we'll be down. Obviously, the Western League guys are going to depart here."

The presence of WHLers on the Bruins is part of the reason they have so many bodies at the moment. With the exception of Estevan native Cole Fonstad, however, there is a chance these WHL players, namely forward Eric Pearce, defenseman Nolan Jones, and goaltender Boston Bilous, are not just temporary additions. 

"I know people have different opinions on it, but these are players that could be here potentially at some point," said Tatarnic. "We want to give them a good impression of our place. When they leave, we're pretty confident in what we have here."

The thought of having several 20-year-olds with WHL experience next year in a year where the team is hosting the Centennial Cup is a tantalizing one. The trick for Tatarnic and his staff now is striking a balance between competing this year (which he feels the team very much can) and the push for a national championship next season.

"It's why we've made some of the moves of the 01s," he said. "It's going to be a tough team to make next year, we've got some 01s coming. That's just the reality. I think a lot of people think if you're a (20-year-old) it's a tough spot to be on this team, but it's tougher to be an 01. Those are the guys we're looking at for who's going to be here next year."

Thus the trades of Reich and Hamilton. Both were 2001-born players who had played for the team last season and played well, but with a dozen players from that birthyear on the roster and the team allowed a maximum of eight next season, something had to give. Reich went to Nipawin for prospect Brenden Holba, and Hamilton went to Waywayseecapo of the MJHL for future considerations. 

Two forwards from the 2001 birthyear, Griffin Asham-Moroz and Erik Boers, have not yet played this season due to injury.