The Swift Current Broncos had an incredible run last year in the playoffs. They won in seven games over the Moose Jaw Warriors, before falling in seven to the eventual Eastern Conference champion Regina Pats. Soaking in the fairly unique experience of two long playoff series was 16-year-old Riley Stotts.
Stotts piled up three assists in those 14 games, but more than that, he learned from the two intense intra-divisional playoff series.
“It was a great learning experience. I got to learn from so many players on the team who are all really strong players. It was great coming to the rink every day and that playoff run we had was amazing. I enjoyed being a part of it,” Stotts said.
Stotts has gotten to fly under the radar a bit, despite being taken 10th overall in the 2015 WHL Bantam Draft, due to the headlines Swift Current’s top line is grabbing. Tyler Steenbergen (49 points), Aleksi Heponiemi (48 points) and Glenn Gawdin (40 points) are all leading the league in scoring. Stotts has a front row seat to see what it takes to rack up points in the WHL.
“It’s pretty cool to watch. They find each other so well on the ice and move the puck so smoothly. That’s something I want to try and bring over to my game — being able to find my linemates all the time throughout the ice and being able to make smart plays.”
Stotts believes that Swift Current has gotten off to their 13-3-1-0 start due to all the hard work they are all putting in.
“As a team we want to go as far as we can. We are working hard every day in the gym and throughout practice to be the best we can in games and we are looking forward to see what comes this season.”
Stotts has gotten some notice though as NHL Central Scouting rated him as a “C” prospect in early October.
“I looked at it as a pretty big honour to be with all those elite players. I don’t really take too much into account with it but it’s always going to be in the back of my head. I just try to focus on each day at practice and the games and take it slow.”
Stotts put up 16 points in 52 games a season ago and has two goals already this year. He has been moved to many different lines this year. Most recently, he has been slotted in with Max Patterson and Ethan Regnier. The 6-foot, 171-pound center has looked at every time his line changes, as a chance to build something lasting.
“It’s been switched around a bit from game to game but I’ve been playing with them a little bit. I’ve been trying to get chemistry going a bit with them.”
Stotts came to Swift Current from the Winnipeg Wild program, which he has in common with many other players in the WHL. Six of the 2015-16 MMHL champion Wild’s top nine scorers are on WHL rosters.
“It’s a really great program and has developed players really well. It’s great seeing the guys you grow up with and play with pretty much every day throughout the league and getting to play against them in such an elite league, it’s pretty cool.”
Defenseman Noah King followed him from Winnipeg to Swift Current. Being around someone he knew so well, helped as he got used to playing far from home.
“It helped a little bit with the change. Last year he was here for a little while and helped with the change coming out to Swift. It’s great playing with him-he’s one of my best friends.”
With his NHL draft season coming up, Stotts spent his summer, working on aspects of his game that will help him win those tightly contested pucks along the boards.
“Throughout the summer, I just worked on being strong on my feet and strong on pucks. Winning all those battles in the corner and all around the ice. I’ve been trying to learn from each game throughout the season too.”
If the start to their season is any sign, Stotts will have many more games to learn from. After playing in two epic playoff series a season ago, Stotts may just get a chance to grab some attention away from that top line, with a big playoff moment or two.
