When describing the Humboldt Broncos, ‘dominating’ is the first word that comes to mind. For the past three seasons the Broncos have been the champions of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL), finishing with over 40 wins in each of those seasons, and winning both the ANAVET and the RBC cups last year.
Friday night (April 17) the Broncos take on Portage Terriers in the first game of their best-of-seven ANAVET Cup series. Game time at Portage’s Centennial Arena is 7:30 p.m.
The Broncos even look dominating on paper. Six of their players were in the top 22 of the leagues top scorers, while the team finished with a league high 249 Goals For and a league best 130 Goals Against in the 56-game schedule.
But it would surprise most to discover that it was a defenseman that led the team on offense. Brady Wacker, a smaller d-man standing at 5’7” and weighing in at 155 lbs., finished the season third in the league in scoring with 82 points, and first in assists with 65.
However, Wacker wasn’t the only defenseman on the team that helped put the puck in the net. Tanner Vandesype finished the season with 22 goals and 64 points, good for third on team scoring, and twelfth in the league. Vandesype also finished second in the league in powerplay points, behind, you guessed it - Wacker.
This wealth of offense coming off the blue line is something not often seen in junior hockey, yet it’s an attribute that no doubt contributes to the Broncos recent success. Having two defensemen that can move the puck, setup plays (as well as finish them), and contribute so much to a powerplay, is something that so many teams from all levels of hockey strive to possess.
Compared to the MJHL, a league that plays 6 more games than the SJHL and has one less team, the Broncos look like strong contenders. Even though they scored fewer points in their season than the Portage Terriers (287), who they face in the ANAVET Cup on Friday, they still look like a team that is well balanced and able to give anyone a run for their money.
Winning the ANAVET Cup will give the Broncos their 17th championship trophy since their inaugural year in 1970. They are a Saskatchewan team that exemplifies success, determination and teamwork, and they will no doubt be a force to contend with for any team that stands in their way of the RBC Cup.