The Maple Broncos / Coach/GM Update

The Toronto Maple Leafs are becoming the Everett Silvertips.

Over the years we've joked about how many Broncos end up with the Silvertips but at the NHL level it's the Maple Leafs who are leading the way lately.

The personable Colton Orr (who also had WHL stops in Kamloops and Regina) just signed a four-year $4m deal with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Although Orr's stint with the Broncos lasted just a season and a half, he made a good impression in his time here.

A million bucks a season is a pretty good haul for an enforcer. I think Colton did pretty good.

That brings me to my first point - The Leafs have had a recent pipeline from the Broncos.

The Leafs also have former Bronco Ian White under contract while Ben Ondrus just became a UFA and Jeremy Williams a RFA.

Still waiting to see where local product Travis Moen ends up with his UFA status. He made it clear he would like to re-sign with San Jose. We will see what the week brings.

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Ok now to the real reason you logged on today...to find out the latest news regarding the Broncos search for a Head Coach / GM.

Nothing new to report today on that front. There was a tasty little rumour that former Dallas Stars Head Coach Dave Tippett had put his name forward. I made a few phone calls just to follow up and turns out there's no stalk in that one at all. Tippett will be coaching in the NHL by Christmas you would think. He has to be near the top of the list for an NHL team looking to make a change.

If it's too good to be true than it probably is.

The BOD is hoping to have things finalized within a week but it could be longer depending on every ones schedule.

When a decision is made, it'll be here first. Keep checking.

Jon

Broncos Draft Finland 'Tender

The Swift Current Broncos are pleased to announce the selection of goaltender Joni (Yaw-nee) Ortio with the 44th over-all pick in the CHL import draft.

Ortio is a native of Turku, Finland and played with the TPS Turko Junior Team. He had a 2.63 GAA and a .917 Save Percentage last season. He was the Calgary Flames 6th round selection, 171st over-all at last Saturday’s NHL draft.

Ortio, turned 18 years old last April, is 6’1” and 181 lbs. He was Finland’s number 1 goalie at the IIHF world under 18 Championships, helping Finland defeat Cody Eakin and Team Canada in the bronze medal game.

We are excited to get the opportunity to draft Joni,” comments Assistant General Manager Sheldon Ferguson, “he is highly regarded in Finland and we had a chance to see him play at the World Under 18’s in North Dakota and were impressed with his demeanor.”

Coaching Name Game / Import Draft Preview

A few names to ponder for the vacant Broncos Head Coach/GM position below....

First, a CHL Import draft preview for the Broncos.

I was talking to Assistant General Manager Sheldon Ferguson today. He said they may be looking to move up from their 44th overall pick for Tuesday's draft. He also has some reservations about the process.

"We have young (Jan) Dalecky coming back and we are certainly very happy with Jan. We have the pick at #44 but there's also been a lot of activity in the top 15. We have a few teams in our league in the top 15 area. If something could be worked out we may possibly get into that action."

Ferguson adds if they can't make it happen, then they will be content to use the pick at #44.

"If it doesn't happen we will pick someone at #44 and it will be a prospect we feel can play."

Ferguson wasn't leaning in one particular positional direction.

"If we want to take a goalie I'm pretty sure there will be a kid we can take a chance on. There's a couple of defenseman I'm very interested with and then of course there an exciting young forward or two that may fall there, although I don't think they will fall that far. We will just have to wait and see and obviously we will just try and pick the best player for the Broncos."

As in previous years, Ferguson knows it isn't a level playing field for some of the smaller markets across the CHL to attract the top talent.

"I hate to use the word "cheat", but this European draft is not a perfect system with the whole CHL involved. There are certainly teams with a bigger advantage than others. I've certainly been finding that out to be true when talking to agents and the teams involved. It's an interesting process and one that I'll certainly be very interested in going forward. I have some very strong views on this European draft and I will certainly make them clear as we proceed."

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Ok now to the newest sport in Swift Current "Name the Coach". A lot of speculation around the replacement (or two) for Dean Chynoweth. I went to work on it today.

Word is the process wants to be wrapped up by early July so we're not talking a lot of time here. I'm told it's the selection committee's mandate to hire a General Manager. That person would then make a decision on a head coach if not themselves. The hiring committee doesn't want to put the cart before the horse so this is the process they are following moving forward.

Now to some names....

Mark Lamb - Continues to be the name heard the most. He's visiting family in Swift Current and interviewed for the job Saturday.

Don Nachbaur - Still under contract by the Tri-City Americans. Perhaps a promotion to GM gets him out of that contract without the Broncos providing compensation to the Ams? I have a feeling Nachbaur is in the mix. Word is his son is a pretty good 14 year-old player and a move to Canada would be the best for his development. He's coached a pretty successful program in Tri-City under General Manager Bob Tory.

Michael Dyck - The recent head coach of the Lethbridge Hurricanes tells me he's expressed interest into the job to the Board of Directors. Like most of the candidates, he lacks GM experience in the league. He hasn't heard anything from the Broncos end. More than a capable head coach.

Chad Lang - Has GM experience with the Moose Jaw Warriors and did a good job climbing the ranks with the Warriors. Has the respect of other GM's across the league.

Roy Stasiuk - Also has GM experience and has been in the league a long, long time. Recently let go by the Lethbridge Hurricanes. Comes with some strong recommendations.

Tim Kehler - Has the inside track as a being a big part of the current program as Assistant Coach. Can he convince the BOD that he can make the jump or are they already looking past him because of the GM first route? Sentimental favorite perhaps? There's a lot of people thinking he deserves a chance to coach.

Sheldon Ferguson - Broncos Assistant G.M. Came in midway thru last season as a replacement for the out-going Elden Moberg. Has plenty of experience in the junior and NHL levels. Tells me "he's a team player and willing to take on any role sent his way. Has made Swift Current his home and is looking forward to continuing with the team.

Obviously this isn't a complete list and a few other names have to be in the mix. I think the fact the BOD is looking for a General Manager first will limit the process down to just a handful of names.

We will see what the week brings....

Jon

Monday Randoms / Eakin Quotes / Free-Agent Try-out Update

Welcome back from the weekend....

What a busy weekend in Swift Current with grad ceremonies Friday and Frontier Days wrapping up last night after four days of action. For me the Fair is a "been there done that" scenario but I think organizers did a really good job this year.

The show ended with the fireworks at the fairgrounds. Great fireworks, but I could done without the commentary on 98.5 FM. The show was synchronized to music with two gentlemen doing skits and telling jokes. Just blast the fireworks next time. They stand up pretty well on their own.

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Now to Cody Eakin who was taken by the Washington Capitals in the 3rd round, 85th overall in Saturday's NHL Draft.

Here's what he was saying afterwards.


On being drafted by the Capitals.......

"They have a good young squad and the last couple years they've really turned it around. Backstrom, Semin and obviously Ovechkin. To meet those guys and see them on the ice is going to be a real shell shock I think."


On being a 3rd round selection.....

"I didn't really know where I was going to fall...somewhere in the first three rounds. I can't complain going to a great organization like Washington. I'm excited to head down to their prospects camp in a couple weeks."


On being taken after several WHL players he was ranked higher than....

"I think I've got some things to prove when playing against those guys that went ahead of me. There's a little bit in the back of my mind that tells me that I want to show these guys up and be the better player on the ice every night.


On watching five WHL'ers drafted in the opening round Friday night....

"Obviously I feel like I'm on the same level as them. I know I can play with those guys and against them and on nights be better than them. They were some high picks but I feel on any given night I feel I can give them a run."


You can watch an interview the Capitals website folks did with Cody following his selection here.
I'm very impressed with the Capitals draft coverage on their website. Great work.

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I've been holding on to this info for some time but apparently NHL teams are now releasing who they've invited for a free-agent tryout.

A pair of Bronco graduating players are headed to NHL camps. G Travis Yonkman has been invited to New York Rangers camp while there was early word that D Spencer McAvoy has been invited to Columbus Blue Jackets camp. Good luck guys. Maybe there will be something official coming soon.


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Who's the next Head Coach / General Manager of the Broncos? I get that question a lot lately. The interview process has begun and not a lot of names have emerged. Maybe that's the way it should be. Someone made the comment to me that it should be an entirely confidential scenario. That person is probably right, but Bronco fans won't stand for that. They need something to get excited about and a thirsty for some tidbits here and there. After all, it's the fans and sponsors that make the junior hockey world go around. I can tell you this much, Mark Lamb did interview Saturday for the job. We will see if more names from the outside come out in the coming days.


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Thanks to an unnamed NHL scout for the message on my voicemail overnight. Sounds like you guys are having a good time in MTL. Way to get'er done guys.


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The CHL Import draft is tomorrow. The Broncos will more than likely make two selections. This draft may spell out the future of import F Jan Dalecky. Although eligible to return for his 19 year-old season, I'm not sure what his status is moving forward. There has been talk that he will stay back in the CZE this year and that he may done with the WHL. If that's the case it'll be too bad. The personable, speedy forward has been one of my favorites the past couple seasons.

What's on the Broncos import shopping list? You would have to think they will be looking at a goaltender and defenseman to help shore up some potential depth issues for next season.

This year's import draft holds a lot more at stake than in previous years from my perspective.

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I may have more info later in the day.... stay tuned.


Jon

Official Release

-Swift Current Broncos forward Cody Eakin was selected 85th overall in the third round by the Washington Capitals at Saturday’s NHL draft.

Eakin had a solid sophmore season with the Broncos notching 24 goals and 24 assists for 48 points in 54 games this past season. He was hampered by injuries early in the season but had a strong finish to the year. Cody was ranked 29^th amongst North American skaters coming into the draft.

Head Coach and General Manager Dean Chynoweth has high praise for Eakin: “Cody's is a natural born leader; he has the ability to make people around him better. His skating ability along with his willingness to compete and battle will make him a fine pro prospect.”

Eakin was the Broncos 1^st round selection in the 2006 Bantam Draft, selected 6^th over-all. He was the MVP for Team Orr at the CHL Prospects Game in January.

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I'm thinking Cody slipped a bit further than I would have thought. He's a top-talent and I believe will come into next season with something to prove. Cody should be motivated to prove some teams wrong that passed on him in the 2nd round. Obvisously there was some teams that shyed away because of a couple of concussions.

He will be back stronger than ever next season.

I'll post some Eakin thoughts later....

Jon

Eakin to Washington

Broncos forward Cody Eakin was taken in the the 3rd round, 85th overall by the Washington Capitals this morning.

Just saw Eakin on the NHL Network do a little interview. I think he's a steal at this spot.

More later.


Jon

Eakin Draft Ready

Swift Current Broncos F Cody Eakin is in Montreal for the NHL draft tonight and tomorrow.

Expected to fall somewhere in the 2nd or 3rd round, Eakin is excited to be part of it all.

"I've done all I could to put myself in the best position. We'll see how it unfolds. I'm a little bit nervous to find out what happens but I guess we'll find out soon."

As to where he will be selected, Eakin isn't setting his expectations too high.

"You don't want to set any expectations. I want to go in with an open mind... whether it's 2nd or 3rd or lower than that so be it. (Bronco defenseman) John Negrin told me the most important thing is to be drafted by a team that really wants you."

Cody is hoping his teammates can share in the experience including Justin Dowling and Joel Rogers.

"I know Justin Dowling... there was a team I interviewed with that wanted to know all about him. I said he's an unbelievable guy and an unbelievable talent. They sounded really interested. Also Joel Rogers, I wish him the best of luck. Hopefully we can share some exciting times."


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No other Coach/GM related news today. I could speculate on who else is in the running but it would be pure speculation at this time. If I hear anything concrete I'll try and pass it along.

It sure is generating a ton of talk. I'm getting a lot of questions daily on the topic. People are talking about it with a sense of excitement. We will see what develops after the weekend.

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I have to give a shout out to Gord Hahn. Honda found my cell phone last night 100 yards off the 18th tee at Chinook after it apparently fell out of my golf bag or pocket. It set me into a little bit of a panic last night. The former Bronco trainer and longtime supporter brought it into the pro shop... finding it before this morning's mower did. Thanks!


Jon

In Like a Lion?

Local product and long-time NHL'er Mark Lamb is a name in the running to replace Dean Chynoweth for the soon-to-be-vacant Head Coach/GM position.

Sources say Lamb will interview for the job Saturday.

After a lengthy pro career with NHL stops in Detroit, Edmonton, Ottawa, Philadelphia, and Montreal, Lamb has been an assistant coach with the Dallas Stars the past six years.

He was recently swept up in some Stars housecleaning when Head Coach Dave Tippett was relieved of his duties earlier this month.

The 45 year-old has plenty of family in the southwest. His mom Willa is in the city and follows the local hockey scene intently. She's a billet for players of the "AAA" midget Legionnaires.

One could assume here that Lamb is after both head coach and General Manager roles but that's not written in stone.

Something to chew on today.....

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Broncos F Cody Eakin is off to Montreal today for NHL draft festivities. I'll post some of his thoughts later today or tomorrow.



Jon

T.K. the Answer?

Although very modest in his approach, you have to think Swift Current Broncos Assistant Coach Tim Kehler would love to tell everyone that he's the right man for the vacant Head Coaching role.

After two years with the club as an assistant, Tim is very familiar with the how the team operates and the returning player personnel for next season.

The well-spoken, cerebral hockey mind from North Vancouver, BC will get his chance to interview and do his best to convince the Selection Committee that he's the right fit.


Can an assistant coach moving into the main role succeed? I think the precedent has been set around the league that it's working and working well.

Look no further than the WHL final this past season. It featured Kelowna's Ryan Huska (promoted to Head Coach just two seasons ago) against Calgary's Dave Lowry (rookie head coach and former assistant). The two did an admirable job with their respective teams this season and were recently rewarded - Huska with a contract extension, Lowry with a promotion to the Calgary Flames.

Kehler has a big task ahead of him though as he tries to fend off some of the bigger names and established coaching veterans who have apparently expressed interest.

He's not your cliche-throwing, giv'em hell, old school type personality. He takes a refreshing more calculated approach to his business.

He has me convinced. Now his job is to convince the rest.

Jon