Although the Austin Bruins have recently focused a lot of attention on the community, the spotlight was on them Tuesday night.

Hundreds of fans packed the Oak Park Mall to get up-close and personal with their favorite Bruins players at a community meet and greet. On the center stage, the Bruins signed autographs, answered questions and posed for photos with many of their die-hard fans.

The event, which started at 5 p.m., had fans lined up and giddy as early as 3:45 p.m., according to Mike Delhanty, public relations officer for the Bruins.

He and others weren’t expecting such a large turnout from the community, but they were happy about it.

“I’m not gonna lie — I didn’t expect such a big turnout,” said Bruins defenseman John Kirby. “All the fans are really important to us, and it’s nice to see the turnout in a small town like this.”

Delhanty said many kids wonder what their favorite players are like under the helmet. So this was a good chance to see.

Morgan Wills, 12, was one of the many who got to see what they were like.

“I think it’s awesome that they’re out in the community doing that stuff,” she said. “I think they have a lot of power in the community by doing all that.”

Morgan has a slight connection to the team because one of the players, Cody Hotchkin, is her neighbor.

But she, like many others, has a hard time picking favorites.

“I hate to say it (favorite player) because I love them all — they’re all so awesome,” Morgan said.

Most of all, Morgan hopes the Bruins will remain part of the community for many years.

The team has a few more plans to reach out to the fans before the end of the season.

The March 5 home game will feature a live band, the St. Patrick’s day game will have green beer and the final home game will be fan appreciation day.