It's a strange feeling this spring for Swift Current Broncos fans, who, unlike the run to the Memorial Cup in 2018, are into offseason mode in 2019.

Keeping the excitement going around junior hockey, however, we've got interviews with the head coaches of five out of ten Broncos' bantam draft picks, providing in-depth detail on the newest prospects in the system.

Up first is forward Ty Hurley, who the Broncos took in the fourth round (84th overall) out of Sherwood Park, AB.

Hurley posted 25 goals and 43 points in 33 regular-season games of his draft year with the Sherwood Park Bantam AAA Flyers.

However, it's more than just Hurley's ability to put up points that impressed Flyers head coach Barry Butt.

"Ty has the best work ethic of any athlete I've ever coached and been around," Butt admitted. "His determination, his willingness to compete is next level - it's as good as anybody's. I think that's going to take Ty a long ways."

"I don't know if he's ever going to be the 100-point guy, but I think he's always going to put up good numbers because of his work ethic and his compete," Butt added. "That's something that, unless you're around that kid every day and you see it every day, you just don't appreciate it." 

Hurley, though still 14 until his June 16 birthday, understandably has some room to fill out the frame, as is the trend with most bantam draft picks.

At 5-foot-5, and 126 pounds, Hurley could be a force once a bit sturdier.

"I think that's going to be the biggest thing for him, especially the way he plays the game," said Hurley's head coach. "I wouldn't say he plays physical, but he's pretty physical. He gets involved and he gets banged around, and he's not afraid to get in the corners, so getting obviously a little bit bigger and stronger is going to be valuable. But, I don't think he needs to be a monster by no means - he's so good on his feet, so good on his edges."

While that process plays out, it's Hurley's eye-catching hockey traits that has his head coach raving over his former forward's game.

"Everybody wants to be on the ice with Ty. When he's out there, you know you're going to have the puck, you know you're going to be in on the forecheck - he's that tenacious," But explained. "To get to play with him as a teammate means your job's easier. You don't have to do as much work because you know Ty's going to do all the work, and you're going to get rewarded for it. He makes everybody around him better."

For a small-market, community-owned team like Swift Current, Butt said Hurley's character off the ice is as impressive as the aforementioned on-ice presence, making him a good fit.

"There'd be nobody better, he comes from an incredible family. They're very involved in the community in Sherwood Park - they always have been. Ty is right there along with them. Any time we have team events, he's the first one to volunteer to be involved. He's just that type of kid - very polite, easy to talk to," he said.

"I make the comment all the time about some of these kids," Butt added. "Ty's the type of kid you can have an adult conversation with. You can sit down and talk to him, and it's not like talking to a 14-year-old. He will ask you how your day was, he'll ask you about your family, he's that type of kid - he's a good kid."

The second prospect feature will be up later today on Swift Current Online.