Bulych graduates after five seasons in the WHL
There was no rest for the weary for Swift Current Broncos graduating defenseman Kaleb Bulych. After a gruelling 24-game season in the East Division Hub, the 21-year-old went almost straight into the field at the family farm near Foam Lake with his younger brother Aiden, who is also a member of the Broncos.
“The first day we got home we had a nice meal, some steaks and whatnot. The next day we were actually right back into the tractor and out in the field, so we didn’t get much off time. It was just right back to the family farm and farming for the summer,” explained Kaleb a few days later.
He had just finished his fifth full Western Hockey League season, a season unlike the previous four spent with the Vancouver Giants and the Broncos.
“I think that it’s kind of a once in a lifetime opportunity. The bubble was something not very many people got to experience. I think that the biggest part that is going to stick out to me is just the whole experience and how everything went down. It was a fun year, challenging year, but it was fun. I think it was just a good experience that I am going to look back on down the road and just think it was fun.”
The 6’6’’ Foam Lake product was originally drafted in the second round in 2015. He saw WHL action in six different seasons, beginning in 2015-16 with the Vancouver Giants. He skated in 237 regular season games, registering 39 points and 221 penalty minutes.
Bulych also played in 29 WHL playoff games, including 22 in 2019 when the Giants lost to the Prince Albert Raiders in the championship series.
“I’ve had some good experiences in the league. I think that I’ve kind of seen everything as far as junior hockey goes. I brought something from Vancouver where I had a really good experience and learned a lot of things playing on a winning team like that. It was just good for me to help the younger guys and show them and teach them the things I have learnt along the way and just pass it on.”
The Broncos finished with a 6-16-2-0 record this season.
“I think that the year wasn’t too exciting with how many games we won and we didn’t really have a good record. I think the young guys are going to show really well for them in the future,” he said.
Bulych finished the season with five points and 41 penalty minutes in 24 games and was named a co-recipient of the Broncos Defenseman of the Year award along with Owen Williams. He did see the team turning the corner though despite the lack of wins.
“I think the team did a good job recruiting. There are a lot of good young guys coming back next year. It was nice to see that they kind of found their way early in the season and they are going to be players in the league.”
Bulych had no shortage of playing time this season, including an early stretch where the team was reduced to only four defensemen due to injuries and illness.
“It was awesome. I grew up kind of playing four defensemen and playing most situations and lots of minutes. I kind of just took the ball and ran with it. I loved every second of it. I was joking with some of the guys that obviously you don’t hope for people to get hurt like that, but it was something that I always enjoy is playing.”
“Kaleb is a spirited guy. He plays with a lot of passion. I think for us, when you’re coming off years where there isn’t a lot of that, he took charge and played the game as hard as he could. He was pretty consistent with that. I think his character too was to try and make the younger guys better. That’s really important for us just going forward to try and create that culture,” said Broncos Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations Dean
Brockman.
One of the highlights of his career will be playing on the Broncos with his younger brother, Aiden.
“That’s something that I am going to remember forever. It’s something that you can never take for granted. So many people would die to be able to play with their brother on any team, let alone in Major Junior. I think that it’s something that is pretty special. Me and him are kind of a one-off, it’s something that we’re both going to remember for the rest of our lives.”
He made his WHL debut on Feb. 19, 2016 as a member of the Giants against the host Kelowna Rockets.
“I think the ‘Dub’ does a good job of turning boys into men so to say,” he said of his WHL journey. “It makes kids grow up really fast just getting thrown into everything and it’s a business, so they are forced to learn a lot of things right off the bat. I think like anything you grow up and you get more mature and you learn to move on with your life a little bit better. I think the WHL, for anyone younger, it’s a good way to experience a better part of yourself.”
While he is focused on the family farm for now, Bulych was unsure what the next step in his hockey career would be.
“The goal is always professional hockey, that’s why anyone ever plays. It’s also something that’s a huge consideration that you take the schooling aspect of it and what the WHL offers for school. I am just viewing all my options moving forward and I’m just looking for the best one.”