Swift Current Broncos Off-Season Update

The reining WHL champions, the Swift Current Broncos, have had an eventful off-season so far.

It all started on May 28th, when Aleksi Heponiemi made the decision to return home. He signed a multi-year deal in the Finnish Elite League. It’s a big blow to the Broncos as Heponiemi garnered 118 points in a mere 57 games during the 2017-2018 season and was a impact player on the top line.

On June 23rd, during the NHL draft, Joel Hofer was picked up by the St. Louis Blues in the fourth round, 107th overall. He has been a solid backup goalie for the Broncos, earning a GAA of 2.608 and a save percentage of .914, which included eight wins, three losses, and one shutout.

Matteo Gennaro, the previously unsigned phenom, signed a one year AHL deal with the Arizona Coyotes affiliate team, the Tucson Roadrunners. During his time with the Swift Current Broncos, Gennaro played in 45 games and earned an impressive 54 points (28 goals, 26 assists). He will be an asset to any team and any line he happens to play on.

Moose Jaw Warriors goalie Brody Willms gets his paddle down to stop Matteo Gennaro from the Swift Current Broncos from scoring. photo courtesy Lucas Punkari/Battlefords News-Optimist

On the cusp of announcing a new head coach and head of hockey operations, the Broncos announced that longtime head of scouting, Jamie Porter, had handed in his notice of resignation. Porter was hired by the Broncos in 2002 and has been head of scouting since 2005.

As well, former Broncos defenseman, Reece Scarlett, was signed to a one-year contract with the Dallas Stars. After four full seasons with the WHL Swift Current Broncos, Scarlett was originally signed by the New Jersey Devils farm club, the Albany Devils. He skated in 250 regular season games with Albany and amassed 92 points. When he was traded to the Texas Stars, he played 44 games and earned seven points.

And, finally, on June 27th, the Broncos announced that Dean Brockman would take over as head coach and head of hockey operations with the organization. Brockman brings an impressive resume to the Swift Current club. He was head coach of the Humboldt Broncos for four seasons before coaching the Saskatoon Blades for two years. With the highly touted Manny Viveiros leaving the small town team to take a position on the bench with the Edmonton Oilers, Brockman has big shoes to fill, but his past successes could lend a hand to his future with the Swift Current Broncos.