There’s little time to dwell on accomplishments in the world of major junior hockey.
That’s something that former Battlefords North Stars forward Tanner Nagel is experiencing first hand this week along with the rest of the Swift Current Broncos.
After the team captured their first Western Hockey League championship since 1993 Sunday with a 2-0 shutout win on home ice over the Everett Silvertips in game six of the league final, the team is now gearing up to travel to Regina to take part in the 100th edition of the Memorial Cup this weekend.
“We’re back into that competitive mindset here once again,” Nagel said.
“The entire town’s buzzing after Sunday night and it was a pretty unbelievable feeling to win the league at home. It’s something that a lot of us are still trying to find the words for, but we all know that there’s still a lot of work to be done here over the next week in Regina.”
On their way to beating the Silvertips to win their third title in franchise history, the Broncos had a number of close battles just to reach the league finals.
They went the full seven games against the Regina Pats and Moose Jaw Warriors in the first two round of the playoffs, and then went six games in the conference final against the Lethbridge Hurricanes, a team that Nagel played for until he was traded to Swift Current in January.
“It took everyone on the roster to get through those three series,” said Nagel, who had a goal and an assist in 26 playoff games for the Broncos.
“We have a pretty deep and everyone was buying in to doing the right things. The games that we played our best in were when we stuck to the system and shut down our opponents.”
Leading the charge for the Broncos on offence was team captain and Calgary Flames prospect Glenn Gawdin, who earned WHL Playoff MVP honours with 32 points in 24 games as part of a dangerous top line that includes Arizona Coyotes prospect Tyler Steenbergen and Florida Panthers draft pick Aleksi Heponiemi.
“Glenn’s leadership is second to none,” Nagel said. “He’s the heart and soul of the team and everyone rallies around him.
“He’s an incredible hockey player and he’s one of those guys that’s very skilled but always puts in the hard work in order to get better.”
Goaltender Stuart Skinner, who came to the Broncos from the Hurricanes in January along with Nagel and forward Giorgio Estephan, turned in a dazzling performance in the playoffs as he tied a WHL post-season record with six shutouts.
After outdueling Philadelphia Flyers prospect and three-time WHL goaltender of the year winner Carter Hart in the final, Skinner signed an entry-level contract with the Edmonton Oilers Monday.
“Stuart’s phenomenal,” Nagel said. “I don’t think there’s enough words to describe how good of a goaltender he is.”
The Broncos will begin their quest for their second Memorial Cup title, and their first since 1989, in Regina on Saturday as they’ll face the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League champion Acadie-Bathurst Titan.
After facing the Ontario Hockey League champion Hamilton Bulldogs Monday night, they’ll conclude their round-robin schedule Wednesday evening against the host Pats.
“To play in the Memorial Cup is an honour, but for it to be an hour-and-a-half from where I live in Mossbank is just incredible,” Nagel said. “I know a lot of family and friends are going to be coming out to watch and I can’t wait to get started.”
The tournament will conclude next Sunday.
