The long path back to SJHL hockey continued for the Humboldt Broncos as they welcomed close to 100 players for an invitation-only spring camp in Saskatoon May 25-27.
This year’s camp featured players from each of Canada’s four Western provinces, as well as a player from Eastern Canada, and close to a half-dozen from parts of the United States.
The camp featured six teams, with players suiting up for a practice with Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Mike Babcock, as well as Colorado Avalanche head coach, and Humboldt native, Jared Bednar, and a former member of the National Hockey League, Kelly Chase on May 25, before teams engaged in games May 26 and 27.
Having members of the NHL come and help was huge, says Broncos assistant general manager Jason Neville, who noted it helped alleviate the on-ice component.
“They came in, they asked what did we want to see and then they worked on drills that would highlight that for us.”
Of course, having those guys around was great for both the players and the members of the Broncos organization as well, says Neville, who noted everyone was able to learn a thing or two.
“You watch the players when they’re getting feedback from a Babcock and a Bednar, they were hanging on every word. They were just sponges taking that in and it was fantastic to see there,” he said.
“And then when we would meet with them Saturday night… we went through each team, discussed each team and just took notes on what they saw, what jumped out to them and it helps us with that group moving forward. But it also helps our scouting team and myself build our own skills that will go year-to-year and become better hockey people ourselves.”
On the ice, the camp was a little different from previous years, says Neville, who noted this year’s camp focused more on 17 and 18 year old players, who would be ready to play come the fall.
“It was an older camp just for the fact that we were looking to start the process of a step one on building a team for next year… our scouts gave me a list and we went through that just with specific invites.”
The camp also featured list players the Broncos have either signed or drafted, and Neville says the combination made for a highly competitive camp.
Of course, there is still room for improvement, and Neville says like most players the biggest key to making the jump from midget to Junior A is size, noting they want to see more strength and more foot speed.
“Hockey’s more or less a 12 month game now so it’s working hard in the summer and coming back stronger then when you left.”
Overall, Neville says camp went well, noting they thought it was an “overwhelming success.”
“It was a huge, at times emotional, first step going forward to putting a team on the ice to represent the City of Humboldt, and the Humboldt Broncos organization next year. Our whole group of scouts and our head scout and myself put in a lot of hours just to make it happen… but already the night of Sunday we’re working again trying to find more"
