It seems like a hockey pipeline runs from Humboldt to Red Deer. Kameron Ballas has become the third Bronco to sign with Red Deer College of the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC), joining teammates Neil Landry and Carter Page. The Kings' interest in Humboldt players didn't come as a surprise to Broncos' coach and general manager Dean Brockman."Red Deer watched us throughout the playoffs," Brockman said."I contacted Dean before the finals against Yorkton," said Red Deer coach Trevor Keeper. "All of the Humboldt players were good skaters and high-skill guys, which is important at the college level." This is an especially hectic recruiting year for Keeper. Red Deer College hasn't fielded a men's hockey team in the ACAC since 2004, a result of budget cuts. This has left Keeper with the Herculean task of recruiting 26 new players. All players recruited to Red Deer will receive some form of financial support. Keeper said he likes to keep scholarship amounts similar across the team to avoid any problems in the locker room. With a need to recruit every year, Keeper expects to keep an eye on the Broncos this season, making reference to that oil analogy."I'm hoping we can build a pipeline between Humboldt and Red Deer," he said.
