Broncos were busy making moves Aug. 21
The Swift Current Broncos were busy Aug. 21 in continuing to retool their roster for the 2018-19 campaign. The club has signed 2018 CHL Import pick Joona Kiviniemi to a Standard Player Agreement and claimed defenceman Ryan Pouliot off waivers from the Kootenay ICE.
Kiviniemi, a 16-year-old that hails from Oulu, Finland was selected 59th overall by the Broncos at the 2018 CHL Import Draft.
The Finnish forward spent the majority of the 2017-18 season playing for Karpat U-18 in the Jr. B SM- sarja league. The 6'1, 161lb forward recorded three points (1g-2a) in 12 games while posting an assist in five playoff games en route to claiming a bronze medal.
He was loaned to the team Ahmat Haukipudas U-20 for a single game and he scored a pair of goals. Additionally, Kiviniemi also suited up for the Finland U-17 squad in international play for three games, tallying two assists along the way.
Pouliot joins the Swift Current Broncos as a 20-year-old defenceman that has played three seasons in the WHL for the Kootenay ICE and Red Deer Rebels. A product of North Vancouver, BC, Pouliot registered 10 points (2g-8a) in 64 games to go along with 61 penalty minutes. The 6'2", 176 lb blue liner was originally drafted by the Saskatoon Blades in the 11th round, 228th overall in the 2013 WHL Bantam Draft and has amassed 30 points (3g-27a) in 169 career regular season games.
The Broncos and Edmonton Oil Kings also completed a trade Wednesday morning that included four players and three draft picks.
The Broncos have acquired 2001-born forward Matthew Culling, 2002-born defenceman Chase Lacombe, a second round pick in the 2020 WHL Bantam Draft and a fourth round pick in 2019 in exchange for 2001-born blue liner Jacson Alexander, defenceman Chad Smithson and a sixth round pick in the 2019 WHL Bantam Draft.
Culling, a product of Regina, SK was originally selected by the Oil Kings, in the 10th round, 203rd overall in the 2016 WHL Bantam Draft. The 5'10", 165lb forward played in five regular season contests for Edmonton but spent the majority if the 2017-18 campaign playing for the Regina Pat Canadian Midget AAA squad, recording 62 points (25g-37a) in 43 games.
Lacombe, a native of Moose Jaw, SK was drafted by the Oil Kings in the 2017 Bantam Draft, chosen in the fifth round with the 101st overall pick. The 6', 165lb rear guard suited up for the Moose Jaw Warriors of the SMHL last season, notching two points (1g-1a) and 14 penalty minutes in 42 games.
Going back to Edmonton, Alexander enjoyed a successful rookie campaign for the Broncos as the Victoria, BC product tallied five points (1g-4a) to go along with a plus-7 rating in 32 games.
Alexander also gained significant playoff experience as he suited up for the Broncos in all 26 playoff contests in their 2018 run to the Ed Chynoweth Cup as WHL Champions. The 5'9", 171 lb defenceman was originally drafted by Swift Current in the first round, 17th overall in the 2016 WHL Bantam Draft.
Smithson, a product of Winnipeg, MB, was selected by the Broncos in the seventh round, 136rd overall in the 2016 WHL Bantam Draft and spent last season playing for the Winnipeg Thrashers Midget AAA squad. The 5'10", 152lb defenceman registered 13 points (6g-7a) and 17 penalty minutes in 41 games and additionally suited up in eight playoff games.
2018-19 Broncos season tickets are on sale now. Visit the Stable or call 306-773-1509 ext. 1 to purchase your tickets or ask about our ticket packages.