GAME DAY: Broncos at Brandon Wheat Kings
Record: 23-16-1-5
TEAM LEADERS:
Goals: Colby Cave – 22
Assists: Graham Black – 38
Points: Graham Black – 57
PIM: Brett Lernout, Tanner LeSann – 76
Plus/Minus: Colby Cave – +20
ON THE ROAD: The Broncos are currently 9-12-0-2 when playing on the road this season.
REGULAR SEASON VS BRANDON: This will be the fourth of eight meetings between the Broncos (23-16-1-5) and Brandon Wheat Kings (23-17-4-0) this season. The Broncos currently hold a 2-0-0-1 record against the Wheat Kings this season, and a 2-0-0-0 record when playing them at the Art Hauser Centre. Graham Black leads the team in scoring in the season series with 5 points (1G,4A). 5 Year Record: 17-12-1-3
VS EAST DIVISION: The Broncos currently hold a 15-3-0-3 record against East Division opponents this season.
ROSTER: The Broncos roster currently consists of 24 players. The team has 3 – 20 year old (93-born) players, 4 – 19 year old (94-born) players, 10 – 18 year old (95-born) players, 6 – 17 year old (96-born) players and 1 – 16 year old (97-born) player. Geographically, 8 are from Saskatchewan, 10 are from Alberta, 2 are from British Columbia, 2 are from Manitoba and 2 are from Finland. There are 8 rookies and 16 veterans on the roster.
TOP PROSPECTS GAME: Defencemen Julius Honka, Brycen Martin and Team Orr defeated Team Cherry 4-3 Wednesday night in the 2014 BMO CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game. Honka had two assists, while Martin had a +1 rating in the victory.
WORLD JUNIORS: Defenceman Julius Honka and Finland defeated Sweden, 3-2, in overtime to take Gold. This marks their first World Junior medal since 2006’s bronze and their first gold medal since 1998. Honka recorded one assist, six penalty minutes, a plus-minus rating of plus-1 and nine shots on goal in seven games played at the tournament.
WORLD U-17 CHALLENGE: Glenn Gawdin and Team Pacific fell 4-0 to the United States Sunday afternoon to earn Silver at the 2014 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge. Gawdin had six points (3G,3A) in six games played at the tournament. Prospect Jackson Keane and Team West defeated Germany, 4-3, Friday afternoon to claim 9th place. Keane had three points (1G,2A) in five games played.
MILESTONES:
Colby Cave is one goal shy of the 50 mark of his WHL career.
Jay Merkley is four goals shy of the 50 mark of his WHL career and five assists shy of the 50 mark of his WHL career.
Nathan Burns is one assist shy of the 100 mark of his WHL career and four points shy of the 50 mark this season.
Graham Black is two assists shy of the 100 mark of his WHL career.
Tanner LeSann played his 100th regular season game of his WHL career Saturday night.
Jordan Harris is two games shy of the 50 mark of his WHL career.
Jake DeBrusk is five games shy of the 50 mark of his WHL career.
PLAYER TRANSACTIONS:
Jan. 10th – Broncos acquire F Geordie Maguire from the Regina Pats, in exchange for a 6th round pick in the 2015 WHL Bantam Draft.
Jan. 10th – Broncos re-assign forward Denis Bosc to the Steinbach Pistons (MJHL).
Jan. 4th – Broncos re-assign 16-year-old defenceman, Max Lajoie, to the Calgary Royals (AMHL).
Jan. 1st – Broncos acquired F Nathan Burns and a 7th round pick in the 2014 WHL Bantam Draft, in exchange for F Connor Sanvido, prospect Wyatt Sloboshan, a 2nd round pick in the 2014 WHL Bantam Draft and a conditional 3rd round pick in the 2015 WHL Bantam Draft.
IRON MAN: Jay Merkley has played in 148 consecutive regular season games, beginning on January 6th 2012, LET vs. MH.
MIDTERM RANKINGS: Defencemen Julius Honka (13th), Brycen Martin (20th), Brett Lernout (80th), forward Colby Cave (73rd)and goaltender Landon Bow (29th)were all listed in NHL Central Scouting’s Midterm Rankings. Lernout and Bow made their first appearance on NHL Central Scouting’s rankings this year.
INJURIES:
Justin Spagrud – Lower Body – Day-to-Day
Jordan Harris – Lower Body – Week-to-Week
MAN GAMES LOST: 89
DRAFTED BRONCOS: The Broncos currently have three drafted players on the roster:
Dillon Heatherington was drafted in the 2nd round (50th overall) by the Columbus Blue Jackets in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft.
Graham Black was drafted in the 5th round (135th overall) by the New Jersey Devils in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft.
Coda Gordon was selected in the 6th round (165th overall) by the Calgary Flames in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft.
UPCOMING GAMES: The Broncos welcome the Kootenay Ice on Saturday, January 18th. Then, the Broncos hit the road traveling to Prince Albert, SK to take on the Raiders on Sunday, January 19th.
