Estevan Bruins forward Mark Rumsey may be a long way from home, but on the ice he's feeling right at home in Saskatchewan.

The Newfoundlander and SJHL rookie is on a torrid pace to start the pre-season. He has 10 points in three games, good for first in SJHL scoring.

His pre-season performance culminated on Saturday night in Yorkton, when the 20-year-old scored four goals in an 8-1 win over the Terriers, including a natural hat-trick (3 consecutive uninterrupted goals) to start the game, which was a first in his hockey career.

"After the game I was kind of thinking about it, and I don't think I ever have (had a natural hat-trick before)," Rumsey said. "It was a fun night."

Rumsey, who played in the QMJHL the past couple of seasons, was quick to give credit to his supporting cast.

"I think me and my linemates jelled pretty well over the week. We had a good week going up to the game and I think we just started early," he said. We caught a couple goals early and lucky enough my teammates found me in some open spots and I was able to put them in."

The six foot three Rumsey says he's always prided himself on producing offensively.

"I think offence has always been a part of my game," he said. "I kind of just came up here with an open mind and was just trying to feel everything out. I think I've had a pretty good start. I know it's just pre-season but I'm happy with my game so far, and I want to just keep building on what I've been doing and helping the team win."

Rumsey made the long trek from St. Johns, Newfoundland to the Prairies. 

"It was an adventure," he said. "My brother did (drove) the first half. Then my dad flew into Toronto and I picked him up there and we just went the rest of the way. It was a long couple days and I was happy to get here."

Thankfully, Rumsey says his family was not impacted by Hurricane Larry that walloped Newfoundland last weekend.

"I think there was high winds and a lot of rain," he said. "I saw some videos of things happening back home. But lucky enough my family never had anything happen to our house, and my extended family never really had any damages either."

Now that he's settled into his new surroundings, Rumsey is looking forward to being a part of this year's Bruins team and the excitement that surrounds this season with Estevan hosting the Centennial Cup next May.

"There's a lot of buzz around town about the big tournament at the end of the year," he said. "I think our whole team is pretty excited and we're just looking forward to it. But we know there's a full season in the way before then and we just want to prove ourselves through out the season and get a deep playoff run and make our way there, and not look ahead too far."

"I love it so far. The facility is great, the fans are behind us."

When he's not at the rink, Rumsey is busy taking online courses from Memorial University of Newfoundland and hopes to get an offer to go to school and play hockey next year.

The Bruins wrap-up their pre-season schedule this Sunday in Weyburn, before opening the regular season on Friday, Sept. 24 at Affinity Place against the Yorkton Terriers.

You can hear both games on Rock 106.