Seven players on the active roster for the Swift Current Broncos are heading to NHL rookie camps this week.
Owen Pickering (Pittsburgh), Connor Hvidston (Anaheim), Josh Filmon (New Jersey), Reid Dyck (Boston), Josh Davies (Florida), Gage Alexander (Anaheim) and Sam McGinley (Carolina) left Monday afternoon to attend their respective camps. . Recent Broncos alumni Isaac Poulter (New Jersey) and Cole Nagy (Colorado) are also attending camps.
Pickering, from St. Adolphe, Man., was drafted by the Penguins 21st overall in the 2022 NHL Draft after posting 33 points (9-24-33) in 62 games in 2021-22. He became the first Bronco to be drafted in the first round since Jake Debrusk, who was drafted 15th overall by the Boston Bruins in 2015.
Hvidston, from Tisdale, Sask., was the first Bronco to be drafted during day two of the 2022 NHL Draft when the Anaheim Ducks selected him with the 139th overall pick. One of the youngest players eligible for the draft, Hvidston had an impressive rookie campaign in the WHL, registering 32 points (13-19-32) in 58 games.
Filmon, from Winnipeg, Man., led the Broncos in goals during the 2021-22 season, totaling 45 points (23-22-45) in 67 games. Filmon’s sophomore campaign with the Broncos was a major breakout after scoring twice in 17 games during the shortened 2020-21 season.
Dyck, from Winkler, Man., appeared in 23 games for Swift Current in 2021-22, posting a 6-12-1-0 record. Invited to the CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game in March, Dyck stole the spotlight after entering the game in the second period, eventually turning aside all 23 shots sent his way. He was also named one of Team Canada’s top three players during the 2022 World U18 Hockey Championship in Germany.
Davies, from Airdrie, Alta., provided strong secondary scoring for the Broncos while also bringing intense physicality to the ice during the 2021-22 season. Recording 36 points (16-20-36) in 64 games, Davies also led the Broncos in penalty minutes with 119. That also placed him third in the entire WHL.
Alexander, from Okotoks, Alta., was acquired by the Broncos on July 29 from the Winnipeg ICE. The 6’7” goaltender was drafted by the Ducks in the 2021 NHL Draft, 148th overall. In 29 games with the ICE last season, Alexander posted an 18-7-2-2 record with a 2.40 goals against average and a .911 save percentage.
McGinley, from Calgary, Alta., provided a steady two-way presence for Swift Current in 2021-22, regularly matching up against other team’s top players while also providing 21 points (7-14-21) on offense. He set career highs across the board offensively in his third full season in the WHL.
The Broncos continue the WHL pre-season tonight when they take on the Regina Pats at Affinity Place in Estevan. You can hear the game on the Eagle 94.1 FM with Living Sky Casino Broncos Hockey starting at 6:30 pm.