Brandon Bonneau just wants to keep playing hockey. The Guelph Dominators have given the defenceman that chance.

Saturday, at a training session comprised mainly of first- and second-year prospects at Exhibition arena, the Dominators inked the 17-year-old St. James high school grad.

"I just want to keep playing, see how good I can get and how far I can go," Bonneau said. "I'm glad with making it here."

Dominators head coach Matt Mullin is glad to have him.

"He's a good, young, steady stay-at-home defenceman. He keeps it simple and doesn't complicate things," Mullin said. "He's going to develop nicely here."

Bonneau will have ample opportunity to do so. The Dominators' blue-line is thin after losing defencemen Nick Trecapelli to the Saginaw Spirit, Brandon Boeswald to graduation and Zach Dion to the tier II Burlington Cougars.

"Doesn't matter to me how much I play as long as the team is doing well," Bonneau said. "It'd be nice to get some playing time, though."

Dion led the now-parted trio with 23 points last Mid-Western Junior Hockey League season. Trecapelli had 17 points and Boeswald had 15.

But neither Mullin nor Bonneau are counting on point production from the rookie.

"I like to hit," Bonneau said. "And I think I work well with the puck."

So far, he's working well at the next level.

"It's faster, but I like the speed. It's harder, but I can play at this level, though," Bonneau said.

Bonneau had 18 points for the Guelph Junior Storm midget AAA team last season. He also played for the St. James Lions in the District 4/10 high school league.

Mullin set his sights on Bonneau in May.

"He doesn't make a lot of mistakes," Mullin said. "He's going to be a good addition to our hockey team."

Bonneau is going to compliment returning blue-liners Jordan Metz and Scott Collins. And the Dominators also added junior vet Kory Mortimer.

"We'll build around those three guys," Mullin said.

The Dominators opened their pre-season with a 4-2 loss to the Owen Sound Greys Friday night.

Scott Collins and Dustin Campbell had Guelph's goals.

Michele Ouellette, Robbie Moe, Thomas Kingston and Tyson Leblanc scored for Owen Sound.

Guelph practises tonight and tomorrow at Exhibition arena and hosts Brantford at the West End arena Wednesday night.