The Graham Tuer Challenge features teams from across Saskatchewan, Manitoba, British Columbia and the United States.

A break from regular season play might just be what the Estevan TS&M Bruins need as they head to Regina to play in the Graham Tuer Challenge.

After struggling out of the gate with a record of 1-5-1 in the Saskatchewan Bantam AA Hockey League, a chance for a young team to spend a few days together on the road is just what the doctor ordered.

"We use Regina as an opportunity for team building," explained TS&M Bruins Head Coach Tom Copeland. "Our kids go through cooking classes and they will be seeing a mental health presentation in Regina as well. We also use it as an opportunity to get some kids into some different places on the ice as well. We go there trying to be productive as opposed to going into the tournament with winning completely on the brain. The league provides enough of that where we need to win and try to place where we use these tournaments to learn and grow, it usually works out in our favor."

Not only is the tournament a good chance to bond with teammates, it's also a time for hockey minds to evaluate talent that will be moving on to the next level.

"It becomes a real showcase for our league. It's a good time for the SJHL and WHL scouts to see the kids for the first time and get their book going for the drafts. Every team from our league will be there with the exception of one along with a few teams from Manitoba and even the United States and B.C. as well."

"There's no question we have had a tough start, we have competed well at times and we have improved our penalty kill tremendously. We saw a better commitment to playing team defense in our last game so that is good as we head into the tournament."

A recent change in the tournament format also has Head Coach Tom Copeland excited about the next few days ahead.

"Normally I'm not excited to go to Regina but they reformatted the tournament so it keeps every one involved all the way into Saturday, where in the past if you weren't winning early you were basically done. It's going to be fun to see how it plays out and we're really excited to go."

The Bruins get things started at the Graham Tuer Challenge on Thursday against the Manitoba based Yellowhead Chiefs at 3:45. A pair of games on Friday against the Saskatoon Generals and Burnaby Winter Club will conclude play in pool B.