The Broncos celebrated the end of the 2012/13 season with an awards banquet in recognition of the team's achievements and supporting community contributions made over the season. More than 175 people were in attendance to celebrate the end of a trying year. "This year's rendition of the Humboldt Broncos had a few obstacles to overcome," head coach Dean Brockman said during his address. Brockman noted that ten 20-year-old graduates left the team, a goalie was returned to his former team, vacancies for two assistant coaches had to be filled, the board of directors lost four members, a new vice and team president were appointed in February and more than 140 man games were lost to injury. "The list could go on and on, but really it's fitting that we're at the Legion tonight," he said Saturday evening. "This organization, this team, battled its way through another good year."The Humboldt Broncos won the regular season, taking the north division banner for the second year in a row. The Broncos fought through 54 games, winning 36 and scoring a total of 76 points through the regular season. The boys advanced to the SJHL playoffs, facing off against the Yorkton Terriers. The Broncos played hard in the final series, remaining well matched until Game 6 when they fell to the Terriers, losing the 2012/13 SJHL playoffs by a mere point. "The 2012/13 team, once again, proved that you are expected to win and that losing is not an option," said Brockman. "To the players returning next season - don't forget the lessons of the hardship we endured in not attaining our goal; we must work even harder in the off-season so that we can attain success. "Don't forget those tears that were shed in the dressing room on the day we lost. You are asked to carry the torch that was left behind and in carrying that torch remember the details it takes to be a winner."Despite defeat, the Broncos rose above the adversities in a year filled with many changes within the organization. "They were good," said Clark Stork, master of ceremonies and official voice of the Broncos. "They weren't the fastest team in the league, they weren't the strongest, they didn't have the greatest goal scorers but they had bits of everything and that's what made them so great."Captain Neil Landry spoke about his four-year junior hockey career spent in Humboldt, and prepared to bid farewell to the Bronco team. "I could not have asked for a better group of guys to play my last year of junior hockey with," he told the crowd. "We battled hard for each other, game in and game out. We stuck together through the good times and the bad. "When I look at each and every one of you I think of all the character we brought to the table and the resiliency in everyone for never giving up," he told his teammates. "We showed people what Bronco hockey is all about."Landry will graduate junior hockey this year, along with fellow teammates Kameren Ballas, Adam Zbitniff, Joey Davies, Adam Antkowiak, Carter Page, John Lawrence, Braeden Laroque and Matt Hrynkiw. "For our 20s leaving the program, as Elgar said, do what you need to do," Brockman told the graduates. "I thank you for what you did for me this yearI respect all you men."An important person and significant member of the Bronco team, Elgar Petersen, was unable to attend the banquet although his absence was greatly missed by the players and coaches alike. "If you've noticed, someone could not be with us this year and that is Elgar," Landry said during his captain's address. "We missed having him behind the bench this yearhe brought a sense of honour and pride to the dressing room and taught me that every time we put on that jersey we're not just playing for our teammates, we're playing for the entire Bronco community."
