A big and skilled young forward is taking the next step towards playing for the Swift Current Broncos.

Quinton Waitzner signed a standard WHL contract with the Broncos this summer and will be coming to camp to push for a roster spot.

"Quinton had a pretty good training camp with us last year and we were happy with how his season went," said Broncos Director of Hockey Operations Jamie Porter. "We're happy with how he has progressed and we've got him under contract."

Waitzner had 8 goals and 9 assists in 18 games with Shawnigan Lake Varsity of the CSSVHL midget league.

"He's a big body guy that can skate," Porter said. "He has some puck skills. We like the fact that he has shown progression every year."

Swift Current picked Waitzner in the 9th round of the 2015 bantam draft.

The Broncos haven't kept many 16-year-old players in recent years. That doesn't mean 2000 born players like Waitzner, Ethan Martini, Riley Stotts and Owen Blocker can't change the usual trend.

"We're looking at a pretty good cycle coming and we may have some room for some younger guys now," Porter said. "It's just a question of getting enough ice time. I think we're going to go into exhibition, see where these young guys are at and then make a decision from there. If they don't all play at 16 that's fine as the majority of guys don't play until 17 anyway."

Waitzner and the rest of the Broncos hopefuls arrive for training camp on Wednesday.

Members of the 2016 bantam draft class skate Monday night and Tuesday afternoon as part of their orientation.