Broncos Acquire Former RBC Champion Goaltender Tanner Marshall

The Humboldt Broncos are making an early splash on the trade market.

Just a weekend removed from the start of the Broncos’ extended camp, the team has acquired BCHL goaltender, Tanner Marshall from the Merritt Centennials in exchange for a player development fee (PDF).

Marshall was a member of the 2018/19 RBC Championship winning Brooks Bandits. Although he didn’t see any action in the six-game national championship tournament, he posted elite numbers through his 12 appearances in the regular season. Marshall led the AJHL in GAA, posting a 1.33 GAA along with a .925 SV%, and a perfect 12-0 record.

Marshall’s numbers took a bit of a dip last year following a trade to the Merrit Centennials, the BCHL’s last-place team in 2019/2020. He finished his 19-year-old campaign with 7 wins, a 4.86 GAA, and a .882 SV% while facing over 43 shots per game.

The Humboldt Broncos defense corps look to provide the Kelowna, BC native with a fair bit more support than he experienced in Merritt. The nine Broncos’ defenseman currently rostered have a combined 900 games of Jr. A experience between them, providing Marshall with a calming platform and the potential to return to his elite junior numbers.

With the addition of Marshall, the Broncos will have five goalies on their roster. Returning goaltenders, Brendan Forman and Michael Harroch are joined by newcomer Charles-Anthony Barbeau and 2018 Broncos’ draft pick, Brett Mirwald. Marshall will clearly have the advantage in experience with his 69 appearances against Junior-A competition, compared to 33 for Forman, and 21 for Harroch.

It wouldn’t be surprising for Head Coach, Scott Barney to now alter his attention toward shipping an aforementioned goaltender elsewhere, freeing up room in the crease for potential starters. Regardless of this happening in the near future or not, expect Marshall to immediately compete for the #1 position as the Broncos progress through Main Camp and into the regular season.