The Estevan TS&M Bruins are ready to embark on new hockey season in the Saskatchewan Bantam AA Hockey League.

After the club wrapped up their second last exhibition game on Monday night with a 4-2 win over the Weyburn Redwings, Bruins Head Coach Tom Copeland was left with some difficult choices.

"We kept 19 guys and had some really really tough decisions," Copeland said. "At the end of the day, I think we're happy with our line up moving forward. The kids that knew they were fighting for a spot went out there and did their best. They made it as difficult as we ever had. There were some tough releases to make and at the end of the day I guess that's our job. I hope some of the kids will practice with us and affiliate with us and grow some confidence at the house level. We had some kids who followed that path last year into this year and guys who were close to making the team last year did the work and they made our team, it's good to see."

The coach did have one concern heading towards the regular season, but it is something that coincides with the mixture and uncertainty of the teams line up during try outs.

"Its a fairly rookie ladened line up, but that's not to say we're not capable. Still a lot of teaching to go on but we will follow our plan and go from there. Our only issue at this point is we are struggling to score. Some of that has to do with the juggling of lines during camp so now we can set our lines and get ready for the season. We'll get both goalies some action in Weyburn on Thursday in our last exhibition game, but our returning guy Winters knows that he is going to start the first two games of the season so we want him to be ready for that."

Optimism seems to be in the air for the young team that is raring to get the season started.

"I think the north division is going to be stronger than the south just because the division doesn't lose as many players to other leagues. Swift Current will come back very strong but outside of that we expect to do fairly well. A lot of good things are happening for us and I think it's going to be a great year. We have kids that want to be here and want to work hard so I think that's a recipe for success."

The Bruins open their regular season on the road in Yorkton on Sunday, September 24th against the Terriers.