If the Swift Current Broncos are going to make strides this coming season in the win column, they will need a big season from their second-year import forward Joona Kivivniemi.
The late 2001-born native of Oulu, Finland, had 16 goals — top on the team — in his rookie campaign. His team struggled the season after winning the Ed Chynoweth Cup, notching just 11 wins.
On Saturday night, during the Broncos 2019-20 home opener, Kivinimei scored his first goal. It was a big one as it came with one second left in overtime while on a 4-on-3 power play.
“Yeah, it felt good. We battled hard and felt great that first win, and Calgary is a good team so it’s really good,” Kiviniemi said.
The Hitmen are a team that many project to win the Eastern Conference. The Broncos got their season off to a great start by surprising them 3-2.
“Well, anytime you get a win, it’s big, especially against a team that is one of the favorites. We were lucky enough that some of their NHL guys had a little bit of a hangover, and they still didn’t have everybody back. In saying that, it’s always nice to get a win,” Brockman said of the opening night victory.
Kiviniemi played wing on the team’s top line with Ben King and Ethan Regnier. The talented trio was the most dangerous line for the Broncos all night.
“I think we have good chemistry, we understand like each other, we’re good buddies outside the rink, so I think that connected us here too,” Kiviniemi said.
As for the OT goal, Kiviniemi recalled that it was just a creative play by defenseman Alex Moar.
“We didn’t practice that. It was kind of at the moment what happened there. Moar got the puck and on the wall, and he just gave it to me and I shot it and it went in. That’s it.”
Brockman liked what Regnier, Kiviniemi, and King brought on Saturday and sees them as a skilled group.
“It’s the line that we started putting together last year, and we kind of moved Benny from playing the right side to down the middle, and just he sees the ice so well, so as long as those guys don’t get too cute at times and keep the game in front of them, they’ll be fine. But it just gives us a legit threat when they’re on the ice, and it’s great option for us.”
Kivinimei was joined in Swift Current by 2002-born Finnish blue liner Kasper Puutio. The two go way back. Both enter their NHL draft years this season.
“Yeah, we live in the same city. We have played on the same team for like four years, so I know him well. He’s a good guy,” Kiviniemi said.
In his second season, Kiviniemi can help make Puutio more comfortable. He himself feels a lot more comfortable in his second season with the Broncos.
“I feel confident. I think it’s easier to come to the second year, to know how things go here and know the game more. It’s easier out there for me.”
As for what he worked on as he prepared for the 2019-20 WHL season: “I worked a lot on making simpler plays and passing. My skating (also) needs to be better.”
His skating looked good on Saturday. If his line continues to gel, the Hitmen will be the first of many teams in the WHL the Broncos will surprise.
Rodeo Round Up…
-Looking ahead to a home-and-home with the Medicine Hat Tigers this weekend, Kiviniemi thinks that, as long as his squad plays the way they did against Calgary, they can compete. “I think (it’s) the same things against Calgary we need to be tough in our own zone. Make like like faster plays and gotta be tough. I think that’s how you’re gonna beat them.”
-Brockman thinks that the Broncos can keep up with the Tigers and are up for the test.
“We have the advantage of playing here first. And that we know in Medicine Hat is always known for how they play. They play a very fast paced game. We’ve got to try and match that, and it’ll be another good test for our team. They’re going to be another team that’s going to be a tough opponent. And we just kind of have to go in there and try and match that intensity and match that base and find a way to squeak another win or two.”
-The Broncos are one of only two teams with only two overagers on their roster — the other team being the Moose Jaw Warriors. Swift Current has Ethan O’Rourke and Jake Kustra as their two 1999-born players. Swift Current is in no rush to fill that open spot, though.
“Well, we’re not really in a hurry to fill it. I think for us, it’s got to be both the right fit. We know where we’re at in this reset, I guess, and it’s certainly not something that we want to pay dearly, for and it’s something we want to just kind of ease our way through. It’s about trying to form a culture here that breeds success, not only in the community, but on the ice, so now we have to have patience with it. Just see who shakes free and who’s going to be available at say no, not too high a price.”
-The Broncos had their annual general meeting on Wednesday night. They announced a net profit of $38,196 and an average of 2,370 fans each game.
