Happy Canada Day!

On a side note.... Broncos Training Camp opens in seven weeks. Enjoy the rest of the summer.


Jon

Broncos and Rockets Future Trading Partners?

Just purely my speculation here....

Could the Broncos and Kelowna Rockets play "let's make a deal" as the season nears?

The Rockets are down to just one overage player after the trade that sent defenseman Colin Joe to Saskatoon. The Rockets have positioned themselves for a run this year and have a lot of talent to make some noise. The Rockets would love to compliment that talent by adding some impact 20 year-olds just like they did with Brady Leavold last year.

The Broncos just happen to have an abundance of 20's on the roster which includes Zack Smith, Dale Wiese, Keegan Dansereau, Jesse Dudas, Travis Yonkman and Spencer McAvoy. It's quality and quantity.

Once the pro tree shakes I'm expecting the Broncos to have probably five of the six on this list fall down to the roster this season. Of course, the Broncos can only carry three after the cut-down in early October.

Broncos GM/Head Coach Dean Chynoweth and Rockets GM Bruce Hamilton have a great relationship which has seen them hook up on trades before.

The only thing stalling a deal may be because Hamilton has time on his side. He can wait it out and enter the season with only one 20 year-old if he wants to. The Rockets have great depth and they could afford such luxury. He could wait to the trade deadline in January if he really wanted to although I'm not sure it will take that long.

Just something for Bronco fans to watch as the season nears....


Jon

Still Some Room in the Broncos Golf Classic

Jerrod over at Wellington West informs me they still have some room left for the annual Wellington West Broncos Golf Classic set for the Elmwood in two weeks - Friday, July 11th.

Lots of good food and prizes and several former Broncos are all part of the event. For more info call Jerrod or Kevin at 778 - 4770.




--------------

Zack Smith on Sens TV

An update on Zack Smith who is at the Ottawa Senators Prospects Camp.

Click here to watch.






Jon

Broncos Select C Oliver Jokel

The Swift Current Broncos took Slovakian centerman Oliver Jokel with the 36th pick in today's CHL import draft.

The 6'1 170lb 17 year-old Jokel plans to play in the WHL next season. Last year he represented Slovakia in the Under 17 Four Nations Cup.

Broncos Head Coach and General Manager Dean Chynoweth talked about Jokel earlier today.

"He's an explosive skater. He's a hard working kid that has a good scoring touch. He was a player who was considered for their U-18 team as an underage player. From all the reports there is some real good potential there."

"He'll be coming (to Swift Current), there's no doubt about that. First and foremost that's always a concern. In this situation we needed the guarantee that he would report and he's anxious about being a Bronco."

The Broncos have also parted ways with Czech David Steiler who would have been a so called "two-spotter" next season as an overage and an import. David is pursuing pro hockey in his native Czech Republic for next season.



Jon

Dale Wiese on Rangers TV

Thanks to Melinda for sending me this....

Dale Wiese at the New York Rangers Prospects Camp, click here



Jon

Broncos Pick 36th Overall in Today's CHL Import Draft

The CHL Import draft is underway today and I have to admit it sort of snuck up on me. The Broncos will pick 36th overall in the first round. The Broncos will draft only one player with Czech import Jan Dalecky set to return for his 18 year-old season.

I did talk to Broncos Head Coach / General Manager Dean Chynoweth this week about what type of player they will be going after. With a defenseman being a logical choice, he wasn't ruling out taking a forward with the pick.

Chynoweth has always lamented the fact the Import Draft's format really puts the WHL's "B" markets at a disadvantage to the likes of bigger centers like Calgary, Vancouver and Edmonton.

I'll get his comments on the pick later today.

FILATOV GOES #1

The Sudbury Wolves used the first overall pick in today's CHL Import Draft to select Russian left winger Nikita Filatov from CSKA Moscow.

Filatov was the top ranked European skater for the 2008 NHL Entry Draft and was selected sixth overall by the Columbus Blue Jackets last Friday in Ottawa.

The Canadian Hockey League holds its annual Import Draft today beginning at 9:00 a.m. with the first overall selection by the OHL's Sudbury Wolves.

The Drummondville Voltigeurs of the QMJHL select second followed by the Portland Winter Hawks of the WHL.

You can follow the selections live as they happen online here.

Each team in the CHL is permitted to carry two European Import players during the season. The draft order is rotated through each of the three leagues in the CHL with each team selecting in inverse order of their final regular season standings from 2007-08.

Jon

Doug Mosher Passes Away

Broncos Remember Doug Mosher

It is with sadness the Swift Current Broncos announce the passing of former Broncos’ General Manager Doug Mosher.

Mosher was a member of the Broncos organization from 1991-1996.

Before joining the Broncos, he was a scout with the Tri-City Americans. He then took over a scouting role with the Broncos in 1991. The following season he became the Director of Player Personnel/Assistant GM, he held that role for 2 seasons and then was promoted to General Manager for the 94-95 season.

Doug was awarded the Eastern Conference Executive of the Year in '95-96.

After moving on from Swift Current, Doug was the General Manager for the Medicine Hat Tigers for 2 seasons and moved onto a NHL scouting career with the Minnesota Wild until this past season.

The funeral will take place on Thursday, June 26, 2008 at the Maple Creek Armoury at 11:00 a.m. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Binkley’s Funeral Service, Maple Creek, SK, Phone (306) 662-2292.In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Maple Creek, Swift Current or Medicine Hat Palliative Care Society in your area.

The entire Broncos organization sends their condolences to Doug's wife Kathy and the entire Mosher family.

-----------

Personally, I'll miss Doug's presence in the scout room around the WHL rinks. He's been with the Minnesota Wild for a number of seasons now. He was always willing to chat and share a story from his time with the Broncos.

One night the Saskatoon Blades assistant trainer walked into the scout room to grab a coffee. Doug, who recognized the fellow went up to him and said "hey remember me, I hired you for our team years ago." He looked at Doug for a couple seconds and with a straight face replied "yeah, and you fired me too, remember that?"

You'll be missed Doug.

Jon

Eakin Gets U-18 Invite

Broncos forward Cody Eakin was one of 16 WHL'ers to get the Hockey Canada invite to the U-18 Summer. Congratulations Cody!

Here's the press release:


CALGARY, AB – Hockey Canada, in partnership with the Canadian Hockey League, announced on Tuesday the 40 players who have been invited to try out for the National Men’s Summer Under-18 Team at a camp at Calgary’s Father David Bauer Arena from August 1-6, 2008.

16 of the 40 players invited to the camp played in the Western Hockey League through the 2007-08 season.

CLICK HERE FOR CANADA’S SELECTION CAMP ROSTER

Hockey Canada will use the camp to finalize a roster of 22 players who will represent Canada at the 2008 Memorial of Ivan Hlinka tournament, scheduled for August 12-16 in Piestany, Slovakia and Breclav, Czech Republic.

Canada has won gold at the tournament three of the past four years.Al Murray, Hockey Canada’s head scout for the National Men’s Team programs, selected the 40 players in consultation with coaching staff along with numerous CHL and NHL scouts and general managers. Bill Peters (Spokane, WHL) will be Canada’s head coach and will be joined on the bench by assistants Steve Spott (Kitchener, OHL) and André Tourigny (Rouyn-Noranda, QMJHL).

Draft Recap - Part Two

Dale Wiese - 4th round, 111th overall, NY Rangers

The Swift Current Broncos saw their best power forward on the team selected by the New York Rangers Saturday.

The Rangers had to trade up to get the pick so they could take Wiese.

They wasted no time in getting Dale to New York, he flew out the next day for a prospects camp and fitness testing.

I spoke to Rangers Chief Scout Jim Hammett on their 4th round pick. Here's some of his comments.

" We liked his improvement over last year. He figured out how to use that big frame and our hopes is that he turns into a power forward and keeps his snarl and ends up being a tough physical guy for us.

We're going to bring him into our development camp and assess him there. It will be up to him whether he goes back to the Swift Current Broncos our joins our organization next year.

As an organization we like him, and when you like a player you go after him and that's what we did (trading up in the 4th round)"


I got a hold of Dale Wiese in his New York hotel yesterday after a grueling day of fitness testing and two hour on-ice session. He was thrilled to be a part of it all.

" I talked to probably 15 teams and I didn't know the interest of the Rangers. I got the call thinking it was my agent to tell my not to worry that I would get my chance eventually here... as soon as I picked up the phone I saw my name come up... it was a shock.

(laughs) They called me 12:30 Saturday when I got drafted and told me I had to be on a plane the next morning at 7am. I flew from Winnipeg to St. Paul and then onto New York. I got picked up from the airport and went right to their training facility. It's unbelievable, probably the nicest facility in the NHL. We did some fitness testing in the morning, and then we skated for a two hours. We have the same schedule all week it looks like.

I would love to play in the American League this year but whatever the Rangers feel is best for me, if I go back to junior and play in Swift Current it would be another great opportunity, it's been the best three years of my life. Hopefully though I get a chance to play in the Rangers system and make the most of it."

------------------

Matt Tassone - 6th round, 176th overall, Dallas Stars

The last Bronco forward selected in the draft was Matt Tassone. "Taz" was more than excited to hear his name called. More with him in a second.

I chatted with Dallas Stars Western Scout Shane Churla on their selection:

"I think he has a lot of our qualities. We put a lot of value on gamesmanship. I think Matt he exuded a lot of that. Everytime we saw him he was a competitor.

He has to work on some things like his skating but he's got a big heart, a good level of skill and a good team player.

I liked him a lot, everytime I went in there (Swift Current) he seemed to stand out. In the big games he was able to raise the level of his play... he has a lot of Dallas Stars qualities.

Matt Tassone made it a goal of his to be drafted this summer. He was thrilled to get the phonecall Saturday.

"It was like sitting on needles... watching the draft. Clicking refresh over and over again. To finally see my name on there it was a great relief.

When they called me they said they liked my size and my physical aspect and that I fit good with their team. They think I could be a good prospect for them in the future."

Swift Current Broncos Head Coach and General Manager Dean Chynoweth was on hand to see four of his players drafted:

" Very excited, I couldn't' be happier for the guys first and foremost and as an organization we have said we think we're going in the right direction. We had a pretty good season and those four guys were real key guys in that. It was nice to see them rewarded.

He doesn't expect to get Zack Smith and Dale Wiese back for next year.

"About the same chances of you hosting Hockey Night in Canada Jon (laughs) ... I don't expect to get either one of them back."

--------------

Draft Recap - Part One

In the end, four Swift Current Broncos were drafted Saturday making it the most productive draft for the WHL club since 2002.

37 WHL'ers were taken in the draft, 13 of them coming from the WHL's Eastern division - a great showing to say the least.

I had a chance to get some comments from most of the parties involved. We will start from the top and work our way down.

ZACK SMITH: 3rd round, 79th overall - Ottawa Senators.

Senators Western Regional Scout Bobby Lowes talked about what the like in Smith's game:

" Just before midterm rankings he came on our radar screen. People in Swift Current know he was kind of a 5'11 player in a checking role. Then he came back this year and was close to 6'2 and over 200 pounds. He's always been a competitor. He had a great year, captain of his team, leading scorer, led his team in points on the road and plus/minus. We did a lot of follow up on him. The thing that made everyone else more aware of him is when he went to the Manitoba Moose at the end of the year.

We were aware of him, we thought maybe we could get him in the 4th round eventually. But when he went to Manitoba we knew we would have to step up. Vancouver and a few other teams were trying to jostle for picks before us to get him and we knew that but we hung in there and we're excited, I'm ecstatic

We can put him in Binghamton (AHL) right away and if he keeps developing who knows.

When he proved he can play in the AHL in the playoffs and that proves to us he's probably ready to go."

Zack Smith on being selected by the Sens in round 3:

"I was surprised to say the least. I never expected to go that early and have someone take a chance on me. It's hard to put into words right now.

I heard (Ottawa) was talking to my agent, I never talked to them. I wasn't too sure they had the most interest.

I know the role they will want me to play. If I want play at the next level I will have to be a checker... a guy who can go out there and bump some bodies. I couldn't be happier with that."

--------------------------

Geordie Wudrick - 3rd round, 88th overall - L.A. Kings

L.A. Kings General Manager Dean Lombardi on Wudrick's selection:

"We just got to get him to mature... he's a classic example to me that if you have the right development program you have a real good shot of making a player.

There's a lot to like about this kid but he was to come to play every night and he needs to find and identity out figure out what (type of player) he is. But there's a lot there to work with

He's an interesting kid... his interview was great because he was like an auctioneer (laughs), he goes a 100 miles an hour... we were like "calm down kid" (laughs). My guys were wondering if they should put a bid in or what they should do.

LA Kings Western Regional Scout Brent Mcewen on Wudrick:

We were pleased to get him. I'm surprised we got him (at 88th overall). We had him a little higher but couldn't seem to get to him. When he was there with our pick we were really happy. I think he's a good player now but I think there's an awful lot to him and that he will develop into even a much better player.

Geordie on being drafted in the 3rd round:

"Greatest feeling in my life. I've been through a lot this last year with my best friend passing away it was a bit of a low point in my life... but today is absolutely the greatest day of my life"

The jersey feels great, I'm loving the purple and silver (laughs). I could get use to this pretty easily.



But I have lots to prove. There were 87 players drafted before me. I want to go in July to L.A. and have a really good prospects camp and prove to them that they made a great pick."

----------------------------------

I'll have a Dale Wiese and Matt Tassone piece hopefully later today....

Jon

Draft Wrap Coming...

I just got back to Swift after a day of travelling. As soon as I find some time I'll post a complete recap including some quotes from the guys and the NHL teams that took them.

Congratulations again to Zack Smith, Geordie Wudrick, Dale Wiese and Matt Tassone!

Tassone Drafted

Make it four Swift Current Broncos taken in the 2008 entry draft... Matt Tassone was a 6th round pick of the Dallas Stars.



We are through six rounds in Ottawa....

Three Broncos Drafted

Quick update,

Zack Smith - 3rd round, 79th overall to Ottawa
Geordie Wudrick - 3rd round, 88th overall to L.A.
Dale Wiese - 4th round, 111th overall to the New York Rangers

Congratulations to the guys!

We are midway through round four as I post....


Jon

Draft Day in Pictures

Round one was no doubt a hectic one. With 13 trades made, NHL Commisioner Gary Bettman had plenty of face-time at the podium as he announced all the deals. The 13 trades was more than the last four years combined in the 1st round.





It also made the event drag on a little... four hours for 30 picks isn't exactly a blazing pace. Rounds 2-7 today should take no time at all.





Nine Western Hockey League players were selected, trailing only the OHL in that category who had 11 players take to the stage.





Luke Schenn was a highly sought after defenseman. Toronto traded up to get him and General Manager Cliff Fletcher pointed out in the media scrum that they're were a lot of teams interested in Schenn and that getting the 5th pick overall was the only way they were going to land him.





It was a great day for the Kelowna Rockets, Lethbridge Hurricanes and Regina Pats. Each team had two players taken in the opening round. Kelowna had Luke Schenn (5th overall - Toronto), Tyler Myers (12th overall - Buffalo). Lethbridge had Zach Boychuk (14th overall - Carolina) and Luca Sbisa (19th overall - Philadelphia) and Regina saw Colten Teubert (13th overall - Los Angeles) plus Jordan Eberle (22nd - Edmonton).





We're expecting a handful of Broncos to be selected today led by Geordie Wudrick who could fall anywhere from round two to four.





Here's some pics from round one:

Draft Day festivites outside the arena

That famour wall mural near the Sens dressing room that got so much attention in the opening round of the NHL playoffs.


The Toronto media gathers around Cliff Fletcher after their opening pick. As you can see, it was a zoo.

A look at the podium just before the action begins

Luke Schenn meets the Toronto media

Steven Stamkos was the center of attention

Pretty good crowd for the opening round.

It was quite the interesting day in the media risers. The wireless internet wasn't working making several of the accredited media useless for the event. Without access there was no live blogging, no story filing. It was a mess. Plenty of the national members were livid. You can bet several complaints will be launched to the NHL office Monday morning. A wireless signal becomes about as basic as drinking water at some of these events. I guess problems like this happen at every level - just not the Crushed Can in Moose Jaw.

Round two is about to begin... more later,

Jon