While the Humboldt Broncos have a number of first-year forwards, head coach Ryan Smith said that the coaching staff doesn’t think the rookie tag applies any more.
He said the young players have a number of games under their belt and now know they can play at the Junior A level. Locked in a battle for playoff position heading into the final week of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) regular season, the Broncos require contributions from everyone.
“Their better years are probably ahead of them, but we need them now,” Smith said. “Some of them have stepped up.”
Last week, the Broncos lost to the La Ronge Ice Wolves in regulation and fell twice to the Nipawin Hawks in shootouts. As of Feb. 21, Humboldt sits in eighth place in the SJHL standings with a 22-24-5-2 record. The top 10 teams make the postseason. Estevan was in ninth with 51 points, the same as Humboldt, while Weyburn had 50 for 10th. In 11th place were the Ice Wolves with 48 points.
“We are in an absolute dogfight,” Smith said after the La Ronge loss. “Every night is important.”
The Broncos certainly need everyone – including their young forwards – playing at their best. Smith has been pleased with the strides his rookie forwards have made this season.
“The young core that we have up front has developed fairly well through the year.”
Matthew Kenney is second in the SJHL in rookie scoring with 13 goals and 34 points in 39 games. The 18-year-old from London, Ont. is third on the Broncos in scoring. He was recently named the SJHL Rookie of the Week for the period ending Feb. 15. He had two goals and an assist over three games during the awards period. Kenney played at the Junior B level last season.
The Broncos have also had solid contributions from rookie forwards who played midget hockey last season. Saskatoon’s Michael Korol, a 17-year-old, is fourth on the Broncos with 26 points, including nine goals. Drake’s Josh Bergen has distinguished himself as a utility player. He is listed as a defenceman, but played mostly forward this season. The 18-year-old has four goals and nine points in 36 games. Fellow 18-year-old Ryley McNeil is also listed as a defenceman, but has played some forward this season. The Lloydminster product has 10 points with three goals and 40 penalty minutes in 47 games.
Trevor Posch has 12 points this season. The 18-year-old from Leduc has eight goals and 61 penalty minutes in 42 games.
Acquired from Kindersley earlier this season, Devon, Alta.’s Gage Joel, 18, has seven goals and nine points in 25 games with Humboldt. C.J. Kusch, who started the season in Melfort, has two points in 27 games. The 18-year-old is from Gross Point Woods, Mich. Teegan Kooman from Red Deer has a point and 27 penalty minutes in 13 games.
“If they keep progressing the way they have, they will be very good players for us in the future,” Smith said.
Home Game Sunday
The Broncos wrap up the SJHL regular season on March 1 when they host the Weyburn Redwings. The Broncos play Yorkton on the road Feb. 27 and were to take on Notre Dame in Wilcox on Feb. 24.
Last Week
The Broncos fell 2-1 at the Elgar Peterson Arena to the La Ronge Ice Wolves on Feb. 17. Humboldt jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first period when Trevor Posch lit the lamp.
“The first half of the period was really good on our part,” Smith said. “We really came at them.”
La Ronge got a goal in each of the last two periods to pick up the win. Nakeho Lamothe and Jackson Waniek scored for the Ice Wolves.
“They looked like a team that was desperate, hungry, and organized,” said Smith, who didn’t feel the Broncos displayed a lot of urgency.
Jack Romanuik stopped 23 shots for Humboldt. La Ronge goalie Kris Joyce had 35 saves.
Humboldt picked up an important point in a 4-3 shootout loss to Nipawin on the road on Feb. 20. The Broncos trailed 2-1 and 3-1 at the intermissions, but scored twice in the third for force overtime. The Hawks managed one goal in three shootout attempts, while Humboldt was unable to score.
Captain Anthony Kapelke had Humboldt’s goal in the first period, while defenceman Ashton McLeod and Korol scored in the third. Korol, Kapelke, and blue liner Colton Laroque each had two points. Romanuik had 25 saves.
Scoring for Nipawin were Wyatt Hinson, Carter Danczak, and Brandon Arnold. Hawks goalie Joe O’Brien made 18 saves.
At the Elgar Peterson Arena on Feb. 21, Nipawin picked up the shootout victory for the second straight night. Two Hawks scored in the shootout, while Gray Marr was the only Bronco able to light the lamp.
Nipawin led 2-1 after the first period, but it was all tied at 3-3 after the second. Each team scored once in the third.
Stu Symenuk, Kapelke, Jarrett Fontaine, and Korol had Humboldt’s goals. Romanuik made 25 saves.
Arnold, Carter Coben, Kris Spriggs, and Danczak scored for Nipawin. Jesse Fontaine had 29 saves.
Catching Up With
Jeremy Boyer (2010-2011) is counted on as a two-way centerman for the Louisiana IceGators of the Southern Professional Hockey League. He has 32 points and 13 goals in 43 games.
“He is a guy who plays in all situations for me and I know I can rely on him to contribute offensively as well as kill penalties and shut other teams’ top centers down,” said head coach Drew Omicioli. “Boyer is a smaller forward, but plays very big with and without the puck. His offensive vision allows him to play with a smaller frame as he is a step ahead of most players when it comes to thinking the game.”
The Saskatoon product played three seasons with the Western Hockey League’s Seattle Thunderbirds and then one with the Saskatoon Blades. He split his final junior season between Humboldt and Yorkton. He is in his fourth pro season.
