Stay tuned-in and up to date with the team as we profile all the new Humboldt Broncos who will suit up for the 2020/21 season.
While uncertainly regarding the start of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League season still floods arenas across the province, a plethora of positivity is positioning itself nicely inside the stables of the Elgar Petersen Arena.
As the Humboldt Broncos quietly continue their training camp, preparing for the undetermined 2020/2021 SJHL campaign, players have been carving out their roles in what looks to be a very competitive roster for the green and gold.
The Humboldt Broncos have roughly 18 skaters returning from last year. However, a few new faces will make their way on to the roster, bolstering the already cohesive and competitive group’s chances at a championship run. One of those players is 20-year-old forward, Chase Nameth.
Nameth was acquired by the Broncos in a trade back on July 1st. He suited up for the BCHL’s Merrit Centennials last season, scoring 22 points (8g,14a) in 54 games. His over 100 games of Junor hockey brings a wealth of experience to an already established lineup.
“Obviously he brings a lot of experience, but along with that, he brings size, and grit, and skill too,” said Head Coach and GM, Scott Barney. “He’s going to be a big addition for us. He’s going to give some guys a lot more space out there. He’s got a great shot and is really dangerous around the net when he gets an opportunity.”
With the ability to play centre and wing, Nameth also provides the coaching staff with ample flexibility within their top-6 forward group.
“There’s a bunch of guys in our top-6 that can play centre or wing, which is awesome to have. There will be situations where we’re going to need to slot different guys in different spots depending on what may arise throughout the game and the season,” Barney added.
Nameth, originally from Regina, SK, played the last two seasons in the BCHL, starting with the Chilliwack Chiefs in 18/19 and finishing with the Merritt Centennials in 19/20. He was a 2015 draft pick by the Weyburn Red Wings and a former Saskatchewan Midget AAA Champion with the Regina Pat Canadians, a team that went on to finish fourth in the country at the Telus Cup. All of this will culminate in his 20-year-old season, where he hopes his experience and leadership can help the Humboldt Broncos capture SJHL supremacy in his final year of junior hockey.
“Im super excited. Our goal is to win the championship. It’s my last kick at the can and I’m fully on board and super excited,” said Nameth. “I get to come to play for a team where my buddy was in the Humboldt bus crash, so it kinda hits home for me.”
Nameth not only has a chance to finish his junior hockey career in style with the Humboldt Broncos, who many predict to be atop the SJHL standings at the end of the year. He also has the style of game that will be a delight for the blue-collar, green and gold-blooded fans in Humboldt to witness each time he steps on the ice. His frame is near fully developed for a 20-year-old, allowing him to provide a power forward presence while maintaining the importance of a 200-foot game.
“I usually like setting the tone and letting the opponent know I’m out there. If I can get a few big hits or make some strong plays early, it helps get me going even offensively, or it gets the team going which is always good.”
Nameth will have the added bonus of familiarity this upcoming season, having already played with a few members on the Broncos’ roster. He shared the ice with Doug Scott for 10 games last year before the Broncos acquired the defenseman’s services from Merritt. In addition, and most recently, the Broncos traded for goaltender Tanner Marshall who spent all of last year as Nameth’s teammate with the Centennials.
As the hockey watching world waits for an announcement on when the puck can be dropped, Chase Nameth and the Humboldt Broncos are wasting no time ensuring their product is ready to be put on display for when that anticipated time comes in 2020.
