The second season for the Estevan Bears is starting to feel closer as the players who will make up the roster begin to sign with the team. Several players have already signed on to return, while other promising prospects are coming in from elsewhere in the hockey world. 

Among the re-signings for the Bears is the only player from Estevan to play for the team so far. Goaltender Jackson Miller has agreed to rejoin the team for his final year of U18 hockey, and with last year's goalie Kelton Pyne moving on to the Regina Pats Canadians, he's the undisputed starter. 

"Jackson was always our number one and whoever we brought in was going to fight for that number one spot," said Bears Head Coach and GM Jeff Smith. "Even last year, I had Jackson as my number one guy, and now even more so with Kelton going to the Pats Cs."

Miller is entering his third and final season of U18 hockey, and he's spent the first two in Estevan, one each with the Bears and the AA Bruins. He'll be trying to catch eye of another Estevan-based team to continue his hockey career. 

"It's a good challenge for him, especially with being a Bruins' prospect right in their backyard," said Smith. "I know the Bruins will be watching his progression and his development very closely."

Also rejoining Miller, as of yesterday, is 2005-born forward Ty Mason. Mason scored two goals in six games for the Bears last season. He wasn't the only Bears signing yesterday either, as defenseman Jacob Booth joined the team from Prairie Hockey Academy, where he put up two goals and an assist in five games. 

"He's a second-year midget kid, he's coming out of PHA which is a great program," Smith said. "I watched him skate a handful of times and he's a very smooth, skilled defenseman that will really help out our back end. He'll be relied upon as one of the older guys that we have as of right now."

The Bears were only able to play six games in their first ever season before it had to be shut down due to COVID-19, so next season will (hopefully) be their first complete campaign.