Humboldt Broncos add 10 through dispersal draft
Team also needs Gm/coach to replace Darcy Haugan who died in bus crash
The Humboldt Broncos added fresh legs to their depleted roster Monday.
The Broncos selected one player from each Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League team — with a couple of exceptions — as part of a dispersal draft aimed at helping them re-stock their roster, in the wake of an April 6 crash that killed 16 people on the team bus.
Ten of them were players, and most of the survivors have either used up their eligibility or won’t be able to play because of injuries.
The Flin Flon Bombers were exempted from the draft, while the Estevan Bruins will supply a player in the future.
The Melfort Mustangs gave up two players — Eric Mcneilly and Ayden Third — and other incoming players include Connor Smith (Battleford), Bryson Cecconi (Kindersley), Shane Hounsell (La Ronge), Ethan Kopyczyn (Melville), Ahmed Ally (Notre Dame), Austin Mikesch (Nipawin), Jessie Young (Weyburn) and Kyle Sargent (Yorkton).
Those 10 players join a Broncos team working to rebuild in the wake of the crash.
The Broncos, who have announced that they ’ll definitely play in 2018-19, held a camp in Saska- toon at the end of May.
They also made seven selections in the recent SJHL bantam draft, choosing Saskatoon’s Karter Mcnarland with their first pick, eighth overall. Mcnarland collected 24 goals, 41 assists and 65 points in 23 games for the Saskatoon Bantam AA Generals this past season.
Mcnarland was also selected in the seventh round of the WHL bantam draft by the Kamloops Blazers.
Meanwhile, the team continues its search for a head coach and general manager to replace Darcy Haugan, who died in the crash. Haugan is one of three finalists for the NHL’S Willie O’ree Community Hero Award. The winner will be announced at the NHL Awards on June 20.