On the same day 19-year-old forward Josh Jelinski was named the team's new captain, the Estevan Bruins unveiled their new dressing room at Spectra Place for players, sponsors and media.
The players were wowed upon getting their first look at the room, which trainer Gerry Aspen estimated took about 1,072 hours to complete.
"It's absolutely amazing. The time and work that Gerry Aspen put into this room, it's unbelievable. The woodwork, the fine detail that he put into it, it'd bring a tear to your eye," said Jelinski.
"A lot of the guys, the look on their face, it's like Christmas morning. It's guys not knowing what to say and then looking around the room in awe," added defenceman Dominic Perrault.
The room is filled with fine details, including a spotlight above each player's stall, nameplates complemented by pucks on either side, and drawers below each stall with the Bruins' logo carved into them.
"I guess I had a vision and a design in mind and I wanted to see it come to reality. I knew there were a lot of other people counting on me to provide them with a quality product and I guess it comes from the heart," said Aspen, who has been working on the room since June.
Added Cassidy: "It's something that Gerry poured his heart and soul into building and I think it resonates with the players. I think they can appreciate everything he's put into it. There's a lot of nice dressing rooms in junior hockey, but a lot of them are catalogued. They're nicely finished, they're nicely outfitted, but they don't have the heart and soul that went into this. This is hand-built, here, from oak."
Meanwhile, Jelinski has been given the C and will get support from assistants Dominic Perrault, Matt Dochylo and Derek Whitehill, all 20-year-olds.
"There's a lot of history passed down and to represent this team as the captain and show all these young guys what it's about playing Bruins hockey, it means a lot to me," said Jelinski, a native of Avonlea.
