GAME DAY: Broncos vs. Kootenay Ice – Pack the ‘Plex
Record: 23-17-1-5
TEAM LEADERS:
Goals: Colby Cave – 22
Assists: Graham Black – 38
Points: Graham Black – 59
PIM: Brett Lernout, Tanner LeSann – 76
Plus/Minus: Colby Cave – +21
AT HOME: The Broncos are currently 14-4-1-3 when playing at home this season.
REGULAR SEASON VS KOOTENAY: This will be the fourth and final meeting between the Broncos (23-17-1-5) and Kootenay Ice (23-20-2-2) this season. The Broncos currently hold a 1-1-0-1 record against the Ice this season, and a 1-0-0-0 record when playing them at the Credit Union iPlex. Graham Black (3G) and Jake DeBrusk (1G,2A) lead the team in scoring in the season series with 3 points each. 5 Year Record: 9-7-0-3
VS CENTRAL DIVISION: The Broncos currently hold a 6-7-0-2 record against Central 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 three goals shy of the 50 mark of his WHL career and four assists shy of the 50 mark of his WHL career.
Nathan Burns reached and surpassed the 100 assist mark of his WHL career Friday night, and is two points shy of the 50 mark this season.
Graham Black is two assists shy of the 100 mark of his WHL career.
Jordan Harris is two games shy of the 50 mark of his WHL career.
Jake DeBrusk is four games shy of the 50 mark of his WHL career.
Bobby Zinkan is five games shy of the 100 mark of his WHL career.
PLAYER TRANSACTIONS:
Jan. 10th – Broncos acquired 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 149 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: 91
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 hit the road traveling to Prince Albert, SK to take on the Raiders on Sunday, January 19th. Then, the Broncos welcome the Brandon Wheat Kings to the Credit Union iPlex on Wednesday, January 22nd.
