They won't be forgetting their roots anytime soon, however, the time has come for several local midget hockey players to take their game to the next level.

Following a pretty successful 2017-2018 season, 5 members of the Estevan Midget AA Apex Bruins are spreading out across the province.

Goaltender Bryson Garton and forward Dawson Schaff will head to Tisdale to play for the AAA Trojans in the coming fall. Garton put up a 3.09 GAA last season, while Schaff nabbed 35 goals and 31 assists, amassing 66 points.

Meanwhile, forward Josh Romanyk is headed for the Regina Pat Canadians. Romanyk racked up 15 goals and 27 assists over the past season, with 42 points.

Defenceman Kolby Kaban and forward Zach Ashworth will head for Caronport, playing for the Prairie Hockey Academy in the Canadian Sports School Hockey League in the Midget Varsity Division. Kaban had 12 assists and 12 points over the past season, while Ashworth put up 6 goals and 18 assists, with 24 points.

"It's really exciting. That's kind of one of the big parts of our program. Obviously we want to be successful as a team, but it's also about developing kids and helping them move up to the next level, and to help them achieve their hockey goals," said their Head Coach, Robin Ulrich.

"(With) Bryson, maybe his numbers didn't show last season, but he was a big difference maker in a lot of games for us. He kept us in a lot of games and stole us a lot of games. He's going to do really well. He's got a high battle level, and I think that's going to prove really well for him. He's a pretty athletic goalie, and he's not so stuck on his form, he'll find a way to make a save any way he can."

"I'm really excited to see what he's (Schaff) going to be able to do, because he's kind of one of those sneaky players, he's not flashy but he finds a way to get open space and gets in the right spot, and buries pucks. I think he'll do really well at the next level," she noted.

"(Romanyk)'s a good skater, and he's a hockey player. He lives and breaths the game, and everything he does is about hockey, so I think he's going to be a really good piece for (the Pat Canadians). Good skater, good hands, but willing to pay the price as well."

"Kolby's a good skating, puck moving defenceman, and so his agility and ability to play in all kinds of situations is going to be big for (the Prairie Hockey Academy). Ashworth is a fantastic skater, and I think he's only just starting to tap into his potential, so it's going to be a really cool opportunity for both of them. A little bit of a different route, going to an academy, but I think it's going to be pretty exciting for them and they'll both have a chance. Being on the ice every day really helps in your development, so I think that's going to be great for both of them," Ulrich stated.

Losing five of some of the most prominent players on the Bruins' squad, Ulrich will have a void to fill with new talent. However, she's confident that it's there to draw upon.

"I think there's a real good opportunity for some kids in Estevan and the surrounding areas to get a chance to play at the next level, and maybe push themselves again into that AAA level. Obviously it'll be tough to fill the void, but I think at the same time that there's going to be talent and people out there that'll be able to do that."