GAME DAY: Broncos vs. Saskatoon Blades
Record: 22-15-1-5
TEAM LEADERS:
Goals: Colby Cave – 22
Assists: Graham Black – 35
Points: Graham Black – 54
PIM: Brett Lernout – 76
Plus/Minus: Colby Cave – +18
AT HOME: The Broncos are currently 13-3-1-3 when playing at home this season.
REGULAR SEASON VS SASKATOON: This will be the sixth of eight meetings between the Broncos (22-15-1-5) and Saskatoon Blades (12-29-1-3) this season. The Broncos currently hold a 3-2-0-0 record against the Blades this season, and a 2-0-0-0 record when playing them at the Credit Union iPlex. Graham Black leads the team in scoring in the season series with 9 points (3G,6A). 5 Year Record: 12-21-1-3
VS EAST DIVISION: The Broncos currently hold a 14-3-0-3 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 and Brycen Martin are two of 40 players in the CHL thathave been selected to take part in the 2014 BMO CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game in Calgary, AB on January 15th, 2014. Honka and Martin will both play for Team Orr led by Lanny McDonald.
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 and is one point shy of the 50 mark this season.
Jay Merkley is five goals shy of the 50 mark of his WHL career.
Nathan Burns is two assists shy of the 100 mark of his WHL career.
Graham Black is five assists shy of the 100 mark of his WHL career.
Coda Gordon is one point shy of the 150 mark of his WHL career.
Jordan Harris is two games shy of the 50 mark of his WHL career.
Tanner LeSann is two games shy of the 100 mark of his WHL career.
STREAKIN’:
Colby Cave (4G,6A) is currently on a seven-game point streak, recording 10 points in that span.
Graham Black (2G,6A) is currently on a five-game point streak, recording eight points in that span.
Coda Gordon (2G,3A) is currently on a four-game point streak, recording five points in that span.
PLAYER TRANSACTIONS:
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 146 consecutive regular season games, beginning on January 6th 2012, LET vs. MH.
“PLAYERS TO WATCH”: Julius Honka, Brycen Martin and Colby Cave have been ranked in NHL Central Scouting’s “Players to Watch” list. Honka and Martin were listed as “A” skaters, while Cave was listed in the “C” category.
INJURIES:
Jordan Harris – Lower Body – indefinite
Justin Spagrud – Lower Body – 2-4 Weeks
MAN GAMES LOST: 85
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 Red Deer Rebels on Saturday, January 11th. Then, the Broncos take on the Brandon Wheat Kings at Westman Place on January 17th.
