The beginning of a new Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League season gets closer by the day and the Humboldt Broncos continue to mould their roster as they get set for the start of the 2018-2019 season.
With preparations continuing, the Broncos made a trio of trades last week, acquiring two forwards and a goaltender.
The first of the moves made by the Broncos came on June 21 when the club announced they acquired 20-year-old forward Michael Clarke from the Calgary Canucks in exchange for a player development fee.
Clarke a native of Medicine Hat, Alta., joins the Broncos having played in the Alberta Junior Hockey League for each of the past four seasons registering 78 goals, 82 assists for 160 points in 221 games, including 50 goals and 52 assists in his last two seasons.
Clarke is a smart player who sees the ice well, and takes advantage of what he is given, noted Broncos assistant general manager Jason Neville.
“I think that’s kind of what his stats reflect. If it’s there he knows how to bury the puck but he can also distribute it too. We’re very excited, he’s a guy that makes his linemates better as well.”
Of course, Clarke being a 20-year-old with plenty of junior A experience will be vital for the club, as it will provide a trickle down effect for each player.
“It gives us some flexibility on taking maybe a little bit more time with some of our young players and maybe not throwing them into situations that they’re not ready for right off the bat,” noted Neville.
“Also, it’s a great role model for our guys on what you’re going to need to do to be able to excel at the junior A level and he’s excelled at the level. So I think he’s going to be that role model as well for some of our more offensive guys on what it takes to succeed.”
Shortly after the club announced the acquisition of Clarke, the club announced another acquisition, this time acquiring goaltender Dane Dow from the Drumheller Dragons in exchange for a player development fee.
The 19-year-old Rivercourse Alta. native joins the green and gold after spending the last two seasons with the Dragons where he appeared in 46 regular season contests.
“I’ve watched him since he’s been in midget so I liked him when he was in midget in Lloydminster and he ended up going a different route than I was hoping,” noted Neville.
“They were at the point where they had two returning goalies and just not enough games to spread around so we kind of took advantage of that and we were able to acquire him. He’s played two years of junior A hockey so he comes in with that and he has two years left so it was perfect for us.”
On the ice Dow brings a high level of compete coupled with consistency, noted Neville, who pointed out you always know what you are getting with Dow.
“He’s not a goalie that will make a fantastic save and then follow that up by letting in one he should have had. He’s consistent, moves really well and then just in talking with his past coaches and that type of thing he’s a great kid as well.”
Of course, being that Dow is only 19 but already has two years of junior A experience was huge, noted Neville.
“We want him to kind of stabilize our goaltending with at least one veteran tender so we were able to do that. And with him coming back in a year it doesn’t take up one of those 20-year-old spots that are limited and we can hopefully build on not just this year but going into next year.”
The final move of the week came on June 22 when the club swapped 19-year-old forwards with the Flin Flon Bombers.
The Broncos sent Jessie Young to the Bombers in exchange for Mike Wong.
Young was acquired by the Broncos on June 12 from the Weyburn Red Wings during the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League dispersal draft.
Wong meanwhile, joins the Broncos having spent one season in the SJHL where he registered three goals, and five assists in 26 games.
