The Humboldt Broncos continue to add to their list of players for the 2018-2019 season, with their latest additions coming via the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League dispersal draft.
The Broncos added ten players from the league’s 11 other clubs.
Broncos assistant general manager Jason Neville noted the club was given a list of available players from each team, and had a week to gather enough information on each team to select a player.
“The three of us watched video, discussed, kind of plotted out what it could look like and just spent hours kind of going through that all and then on (June 10) we submitted a list to the league president of the one person from each team we were selecting.”
With the Broncos holding a number of roster openings, Neville noted the club was not searching for a player at a specific position, but just for those with certain skill sets, including those who could skate, think the game, and move the puck.
“It was just let’s bring in a core of players that we can start building around.”
While the Broncos were looking at their on ice abilities, Neville noted one of the toughest parts of the process was not being able to speak to many people about the character of the players.
“That’s kind of, I guess, a wildcard piece for us is that we weren’t able to research that as much. But skill wise we were just looking for guys that could play.”
While the club was looking for players who could play, they also needed to find a balance between youth and experience, with each club only allowed to dress eight-20 year olds each night.
With that in mind the green and gold were able to add six 19 year olds, which is huge says Neville because they provide not only the ability to be in the fold for two years, but also carry at least one year of junior experience.
“We have a lot of 2000’s just from our recruiting and our free agent camp so it was getting some of that veteran presence as well. You kind of get the best of both worlds with a 19-year-old. They’ve played at least one year in the league and you still have one more left with them (after this year).”
Neville did note that the club was still interested in bringing in some 20-year-olds for added leadership and experience.
The Broncos managed to accomplish that goal by adding a trio of 1998 born players.
“I think they’ll be big in helping us kind of reestablish our culture. I’m thinking we’re going to have a few guys that were around last year coming back and just to have a couple other guys that can reestablish that and build the type of culture we want to have in our room and out in the community.”
While each team was required to participate in the SJHL Dispersal Draft, the Flin Flon Bombers were one of just two teams, along with the Estevan Bruins who did not relinquish a player.
The Bombers were given a pass by the Broncos, who were required to send a player to Flin Flon to complete the Nick Shumlanski trade in January.
To save sending players back and forth the teams agreed that in lieu of a future player the Bombers would be exempt from the draft.
The Bruins meanwhile, were also given a pass at this time, with Neville noting he expects the Bruins and Broncos to complete their dispersal draft deal in the fall.
“In this process that was one thing I was adamant to other teams. Our goal isn’t to take down another team as we build our own team. So in Estevan he just had some question marks around some things and it was really to give him more time to get a picture of what he has and then where we could benefit with minimum impact on his team.”
The final bit of movement came from Melfort, who actually sent the Broncos a pair of players, in an agreement that would see the Broncos not take a specific member of the Mustangs.
To sweeten the deal the Mustangs sent the Broncos 2002 born defenseman Ayden Third.
“It was kind of a little bonus there thrown in to maybe help us out next year. He could walk in and surprise us and make the team this year but that was more of a future piece.”
The Broncos will get their first chance to see these players in a green and gold uniform in the fall at their annual fall training camp.Battleford North Stars - Connor Smith (1999)
Estevan Bruins – arrangement for player selection to be made in the future
Flin Flon Bombers – Flin Flon received exemption by Humboldt
Kindersley Klippers - Bryson Cecconi (1999)
La Ronge Ice Wolves - Shane Hounsell (1999)
Melfort Mustangs - Eric McNeilly and Ayden Third (1999) and (2002)
Melville Millionaires - Ethan Kopyczyn (1998)
Notre Dame Hounds - Ahmed Ally (1999)
Nipawin Hawks - Austin Mikesch (1998)
Weyburn Red Wings - Jessie Young (1999)
Yorkton Terriers - Kyle Sargent (1998)
