Broncos hoping to get healthy for regular season opener
A young Swift Current Broncos team lost both games to the Medicine Hat Tigers over the weekend to wrap up the Western Hockey League preseason.
Friday, the Broncos lost 10-8 in Medicine Hat. Mathew Ward led the Broncos with three goals and two assists. Clarke Caswell added two goals and two assists, while Luke Mistelbacher finished with a goal and three assists. Ryan Gould and Parker Rondeau also scored.
The Tigers got goals from seven different skaters, including a hat trick from Tyler Mackenzie. Dru Krebs finished with six points and Cayden Lindstrom had a five-point outing.
The Tigers followed up with a 10-4 win in Swift Current on Saturday. Caswell, Peyton Kettles, Brady Birnie, and Maddix Mccagherty all scored in the loss.
The Broncos battled their way through injuries and absences throughout training camp and the preseason.
“Obviously having 13 guys out and injured all through camp was really tough,” said Broncos General Manager Chad Leslie. “Obviously we wanted a really competitive camp and to have an opportunity to see the young guys against the old guys and that never really came to fruition. I’m really proud of the way our young guys
have played all the way through exhibition. We had a lot of young guys in the line-up against two pretty strong lineups here and in Med Hat the other night. I thought they held their own. But yeah it will be nice to get some guys back.”
The Broncos open the regular season on Friday in Lethbridge and then host the Hurricanes on Saturday.
“I think it will be a work in progress. A few guys are day-to-day getting back next week. The next couple days will be big, some rest for the guys. We should know by Wednesday, Thursday where everything is at. I believe we’ll have a few more bodies in the line-up and ready to go. But I don’t think we’re
going to have everybody here for the home opener for sure.”
The Broncos had five overage players competing for three spots coming into the season. Defensemen Ryan Mccleary and Adam Mcnutt were joined by forwards Caleb Wyrostok, Braeden Lewis, and Tyson Laventure.
“We haven’t made any moves yet. Three of the overage guys were injured, four of them actually. It certainly wasn’t what we’d hoped for. We have some time here to do some things,” said Leslie.
The Broncos will be looking for increased offensive production this season from players such as Clarke Caswell and Brady Birnie.
“I think those guys are going to take a big step. Clarke is a really good 200-foot player that has had a tremendous summer and he’s ready to contribute and take a big role for sure. Brady Birnie, I think when we
have everybody in and he’s complimented by some players he can be dangerous and he’s going to score. I think [Luke] Mistelbacher has shown that he’s got an opportunity to take it to another level. Rylan Gould has worked extremely hard and taken another step. All those guys can take those steps when they’re insulated with the older guys as well,” said Leslie.
The Broncos will compete in the Central Division this season, before moving back to the East Division in 2024-25.
“I think we fit in very well… when you get our full line-up in here it’s a lot deeper for sure. It gives us an opportunity to look a lot different than we look right now. As to how things look in the division, I think everybody looks strong. I think it’s going to be a really good year. I think Calgary is going to be solid. Red Deer is going to be solid. Edmonton has made some improvements for sure and they are going to be hungry to be better for sure. Lethbridge is always tough, they have a heavy team there. It’s going to be a great division and we’re going to have to compete,” said Leslie.