Swift Current Broncos facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Swift Current Broncos |
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| City | Swift Current, Saskatchewan |
| League | Western Hockey League |
| Conference | Eastern |
| Division | East |
| Founded | 1967 |
| Home arena | InnovationPlex |
| Colours | Blue, green, white, black |
| General manager | Chad Leslie |
| Head coach | Taras McEwen |
| Championships |
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| Franchise history | |
| 1967–1974 | Swift Current Broncos |
| 1974–1986 | Lethbridge Broncos |
| 1986–present | Swift Current Broncos |
The Swift Current Broncos are a major junior ice hockey team from Swift Current, Saskatchewan, Canada. They started in 1967. The team moved to Lethbridge, Alberta, in 1974 and were called the Lethbridge Broncos. They returned to Swift Current in 1986.
The Broncos play in the East Division of the Western Hockey League's Eastern Conference. Their home games are at the Innovation Credit Union iPlex. Swift Current is the smallest city with a team in the WHL. It is also the second smallest city in the entire Canadian Hockey League to host a team. The Broncos have won the WHL playoffs three times. They also won the 1989 Memorial Cup. Before their championships, the team faced a sad event: a bus crash in 1986 where four players died.
Contents
Team History: From Swift Current to Lethbridge and Back
The Swift Current Broncos began their journey in Swift Current, Saskatchewan. However, the team faced financial challenges in its small hometown. In 1974, they moved to Lethbridge, Alberta. The new Lethbridge Sportsplex was looking for a hockey team, making it a good fit.
The Broncos played in Lethbridge for twelve seasons. During this time, they won the President's Cup in the 1982–83 season. In the mid-1980s, the team was put up for sale. Even though they had many loyal fans in Lethbridge, local groups in Swift Current bought the team. This brought the Broncos back to their original home. After the Broncos left, the city of Lethbridge got a new team when the Calgary Wranglers moved there and became the Lethbridge Hurricanes.
The Broncos won their only Memorial Cup championship two years after returning to Swift Current, in 1989. They also played in the 1993 Memorial Cup but were eliminated in a tie-breaker game.
Swift Current is one of the smallest places to have a team in the Canadian Hockey League. Only Bathurst, New Brunswick, home of the QMJHL's Acadie-Bathurst Titan, is a smaller market.
Team Look: Logos and Jerseys
The Broncos' first logo showed a bucking bronco and a horseshoe. It used blue and green colors. Over time, the team used less green, and then stopped using it around 1995. In 2014, they went back to their original designs and colors.
In November 2018, the team wore a special jersey. This jersey honored both the Swift Current Broncos and the Humboldt Broncos. The Humboldt Broncos are another junior team from Saskatchewan. They were also affected by a fatal bus crash in April of that year.
Like many junior hockey teams, the Broncos often wear special jerseys for certain events. For example, in 2023, the team temporarily changed its name to the Lake Diefenbaker Slough Sharks. They wore a new jersey with a northern pike fish logo.
Team Achievements: Championships and Awards
The Swift Current Broncos have a proud history of winning. They have won several important championships and their players have received many awards.
Major Championships
- Memorial Cup: The Broncos won this top junior hockey championship in 1989.
- Ed Chynoweth Cup (WHL Playoff Champions): They have won this trophy three times: 1989, 1993, and 2018.
- Scotty Munro Memorial Trophy (WHL Regular Season Champions): The Broncos finished first in the regular season twice: 1989 and 1993.
- Regular Season Division Champions: They have won their division six times: 1989, 1993, 1996, 2000, 2001, and 2024.
WHL Championship Wins
- 1988–89: The Broncos won 4–0 against the Portland Winter Hawks.
- 1992–93: They won 4–3 against the Portland Winter Hawks.
- 2017–18: The team won 4–2 against the Everett Silvertips.
Memorial Cup Championship Win
- 1989: The Broncos won 4–3 in overtime against the Saskatoon Blades.
Player and Coach Awards
Many Broncos players and coaches have earned special awards for their skills and efforts.
Bob Clarke Trophy (WHL Top Scorer)
- Joe Sakic: 1987–88
- Jason Krywulak: 1992–93
- Sergei Varlamov: 1997–98
- Tyler Redenbach: 2003–04
Four Broncos Memorial Trophy (WHL Player of the Year)
- Joe Sakic (2): 1986–87, 1987–88
- Jason Krywulak: 1992–93
- Sergei Varlamov: 1997–98
- Adam Lowry: 2012–13
Jim Piggott Memorial Trophy (WHL Rookie of the Year)
- Joe Sakic: 1986–87
- Ashley Buckberger: 1991–92
- Aleksi Heponiemi: 2016–17
Bill Hunter Memorial Trophy (WHL Top Defenceman)
- Dan Lambert: 1988–89
- Michal Rozsival: 1997–98
Del Wilson Trophy (WHL Top Goaltender)
- Bryce Wandler: 1999–00
Dunc McCallum Memorial Trophy (WHL Coach of the Year)
- Stan Dunn: 1973–74
- Graham James: 1986–87
- Todd McLellan: 1999–00
- Manny Viveiros: 2017–18
Doc Seaman Trophy (WHL Scholastic Player of the Year)
- Ashley Buckberger: 1991–92
- Adam Lowry: 2009–10
Brad Hornung Trophy (WHL Most Sportsmanship)
- Rick Girard: 1992–93
- Ian White: 2001–02
- Tyler Steenbergen: 2016–17
- Aleksi Heponiemi: 2017–18
WHL Playoff MVP (Awarded since 1992)
- Andrew Schneider: 1992–93
- Glenn Gawdin: 2017–18
Stafford Smythe Memorial Trophy (Memorial Cup MVP)
- Dan Lambert: 1989 Memorial Cup
Retired Numbers: Honoring Fallen Players
The Swift Current Broncos have retired the jersey numbers of four players. These players tragically died in the 1986 team bus crash. Retiring their numbers means no other player on the team will ever wear those jerseys again. It is a way to remember and honor them forever.
| # | Player |
|---|---|
| 8 | Trent Kresse |
| 9 | Scott Krueger |
| 11 | Brent Ruff |
| 22 | Chris Mantyka |
Images for kids
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The Swift Current Broncos' team uniform.
See also
- Ice hockey in Saskatchewan
- List of ice hockey teams in Saskatchewan
