Another piece of the puzzle has fallen into place for the Swift Current Broncos. The small market team has finally assembled their hockey staff, which now consists of head coach and director of hockey operations, Dean Brockman, assistant coaches, Scott Dutertre and Brandin Cote, and director of player personnel, Gary Aubin, along with fan favourite, Jamie “Butter” LeBlanc as head athletic trainer and equipment manager. In a year that saw the departure of many familiar faces, the future looks bright during this rebuild.
The first piece of the puzzle was the addition of Dean Brockman as the newest head coach of the Broncos. Brockman grew up around Humboldt, Saskatchewan and later on became head coach of the Humboldt Broncos. Before making his way to Swift Current, he was previously part of the Saskatoon Blades organization. I’ve talked to people around town who have met Dean Brockman and they have said he seems genuinely friendly and is very personable. Brockman is always willing to stop and chat about the team. And, in a town as small as Swift Current, that kind of personality is important. I believe Dean Brockman is ready to take on the challenge of guiding the Broncos through their rebuild.
Gary Aubin was the next piece of the puzzle put into place as the director of player personnel for the Swift Current Broncos. He was previously a scout for the Spokane Chiefs and Kamloops Blazers, as well as part of the Canadian Trinity Hockey School before he was hired on as part of the Broncos. As director of player personnel, Aubin will get to know the organization’s players and, alongside the other hockey staff, will evaluate the team on individual and collective levels.
One of the newest faces in the Broncos organization is Scott Dutertre – an assistant coach. Originally from Dinsmore, Sk, Dutertre has previously worked with the University of Saskatchewan men’s and women’s hockey teams. He has experience working with young hockey players to help them refine and excel at their levels. That will be an asset to a rebuilding Swift Current Broncos team.
Brandin Cote is another of the newest pieces of the Broncos. He was born and raised in Swift Current before heading off to play junior hockey with the Spokane Chiefs from 1997-2002. From there he made his way to the AHL and played for the Norfolk Admirals. During the 2016-2017 seasons, Cote was an assistant coach with the Prince Albert Raiders. Now, he will take on a tough challenge alongside Brockman as they try to keep the pace that Manny Viveiros set in the past three seasons.
The one constant piece of the puzzle on the Swift Current Broncos team is Jamie “Butter” LeBlanc. “Butter,” as he’s affectionately known around Swift Current, has been the Broncos head athletic trainer and equipment manager for 13 season. He has always been a fan favourite around the city because he socializes with his many fans in the city, most recently at the first annual Ribfest. Originally from New Brunswick, the always-smiling Butter has been a welcomed addition to the city and the Swift Current Broncos for many years.
It seems the hockey staff has been set in place, and the community seems eager to have the season start. The Broncos pre-season starts on August 31st, when they take on the Pats in Regina. The Broncos first pre-season home game will be held at the Innovation Credit Union iPlex on Saturday, September 15th when they host the Lethbridge Hurricanes. The first regular season game will take place on Friday, September 21st in Swift Current when the Broncos host the Saskatoon Blades.
